James Hugonin, a renowned painter and educator hailing from Barnard Castle in County Durham, began his artistic journey at the prestigious Winchester School of Art, West Surrey College of Art and Design in Farnham, and finally at Chelsea School of Art. He eventually went on to teach at Chelsea and other esteemed institutions in the northeast of England. Hugonin was a part of the renowned Newcastle Group of artists and was featured in the South Bank Centre’s touring exhibition, titled “The Presence of Painting,” in the years 1988-1989. Notable solo exhibitions of his work include showcases at Galerie Brigitte Hilger in Aachen in 1983, Graeme Murray Gallery and Bede Gallery in 1985, and Galerie Hoffman in Friedberg in 1987.
Hugonin’s artistic style deviated from the prevalent free and gestural painting that surrounded him during his time at art school in the 1970s. He strived to strike a balance between complexity and simplicity in his work, resulting in a textured and rhythmic visual representation that could be likened to music. His pieces exuded a Zen-like tranquility that left a lasting impact on the viewer. However, due to his meticulous approach to his craft, Hugonin was known to complete only one painting per year. This was evident in the minimalistic display of his work spanning three years at the Ingleby Gallery in Edinburgh in 2002.
In 2006, Hugonin curated an exhibition titled “James Hugonin and Ian Stephenson: And our eyes scan Time” at the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art. The show featured twelve of Hugonin’s paintings from the years 1992 to 2005, showcased in a single room, while the rest of the gallery was dedicated to the work of his teacher and lifelong inspiration, Ian Stephenson. The Arts Council holds a collection of Hugonin’s work. The artist lived in the serene and secluded Cheviot Hills in Wooler, Northumberland, with his wife, Sarah Hugonin, who was also an accomplished artist.
www.ftn-books.com has now a Hugonin print available.
