Atlanta-based Artist Tim Hunter creates work rooted in his deep appreciation for the natural world and concern for its future. “Now You See It...Now You Don't (Nature in Decline)” is an exhibition of two ongoing series depicting birds and wildflowers native to the Southeastern United States through the unexpected use of asphalt and cement. By employing common construction materials, Tim points to the primary cause of their decline: habitat loss.
"This series began years ago," says Tim, "when I read an article about the number of birds that are in decline here in Georgia and throughout the Southeast. I've always had a strong interest in birds. My parents were birdwatchers, with bird books and binoculars always close at hand, and I grew up with a love of them. Reading about their decline brought a new awareness to me."
The works feature silhouetted birds and wildflowers set against a white cement ground. The bird imagery is borrowed from John James Audubon's The Birds of America, evoking a time when these species were more abundant, while the wildflowers are based on historical botanical illustrations. Hunter's use of silhouettes suggests lingering shadows: quiet reminders of what may remain after these species disappear.
Both elegy and celebration, these poignant works honor the remarkable diversity of native species found in our own backyards while serving as a compelling call to protect them from further decline.
"Golden-winged Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Chestnut-sided Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Black-throated Blue Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Northern Parula," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Black-throated Blue Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Swainson's Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Blue-winged Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Wood Thrush," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Prairie Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Blackburian Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Worm-eating Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Prothonotary Warbler," asphalt on cement panel, 12 by 12 inches
"Martha," Sumi ink on paper, 45 by 33 inches
"American Barberry," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Silky Morning Glory," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Mad Dog Skullcap," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"American Heal All," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Narrowleaf Blue Curls," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Porter's Reed Glass," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Purple Honeycomb-head," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Twinleaf," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Stokes Aster," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Green Pitcher Plant," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Fringed Loosestrife," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Canada Burnet," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Georgia Rockcress," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Glade Windflower," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Purple Giant Hyssop," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Heartleaf Brickellia," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Flatrock Onion," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Variable-leaf Indian Plantain," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Common Blue Curls," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Hartwrightia," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Georgia Indigo-bush," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"American Lilly of the Valley," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Cross Vine," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Pool Sprite or Snorkelwort," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Harry Rattleweed," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Purple Milkweed," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Georgia Alder," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Apalachicola Wild Indigo," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Spreading Yellow Foxglove," asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Trailing Milkvine" asphalt on cement mounted on wood panel, 12 by 9 inches
"Veery," Sumi ink on paper, 36 by 24 inches
Atlanta-based artist, Tim Hunter’s work stems from his love of nature and concern for the environment. In 2003 he began working primarily with images of birds as an expression of his spiritual connection with nature. After reading an article about the declining bird populations in Georgia, he turned his focus to environmental issues. An avid bird watcher, Tim also experienced the heavily wooded area he grew up in, slowly reduced to shopping malls and subdivisions. He uses asphalt and cement to create his works which refer to the loss of habitat due to human expansion, which is one of the main causes of declining bird populations. His silhouettes are taken from Audubon’s series “Birds of America” which references a period in the past when the bird populations in America were more abundant. Tim received a BFA in printmaking from California College of Arts, Oakland, CA and an MFA in painting from Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA. His work is in the collections of Huntsville Museum of Art, MOCA GA, Atlanta Arts Council, among others.
AVAILABLE WORKS