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Lot 73: MATT HUNT UTOPIAN SPIRITUAL SPACE MACHINE

Est: $25,000 NZD - $35,000 NZDPassed
Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers’Auckland, New ZealandAugust 09, 2021

Item Overview

Description

Matt Hunt

UTOPIAN SPIRITUAL SPACE MACHINE

2008

oil on canvas

inscribed UTOPIAN SPIRITUAL SPACE MACHINE- THE ANGELIC ELECT CREW OF THE MEGASTARSHIP ADX 7007 SEND VISIONS OF SUPEREALITY TO ALL TRUTHSEEKERS ON EARTH! in brushpoint upper left

1300 x 2400mm

 

PROVENANCE

Private collection, Sydney. Acquired from Ray Hughes Gallery, Sydney, 2008.

 

Matt Hunt - Sandpits of Eternity

Essay by JULIAN MCKINNON

 

Spacecraft, crystals, utopian cities floating in the sky, glimpses of damnation and eternal bliss, fountains, luminous beings, crucifixions, demons, domesticity and consumerism – these are but some of the themes one encounters in the paintings of Matt Hunt. His works defy categorisation, such is the layering and complexity of their content. One can detect certain recurrent themes or archetypes running through them: new age spirituality, Christianity, confrontations between good and evil, alien visitations, technology, and a biblical ark-like diversity of animals. This manifold subject matter is arranged as if according to some arcane code, conveying a profound, yet not quite decipherable, insight into the nature of the universe.

 

Hunt’s paintings invite viewers to engage, reflect, and attempt to decode their layered symbology. To that end, they are riddles, perhaps without answers. Conclusions drawn as to their meaning will be as diverse and numerous as their audience. How exactly does one unpack the hidden message of a winged and sword bearing Christ with a coin-operated washing machine for head and torso on a rocket-crucifix? Or of a humanoid tiger with wings, accompanied by a robot clutching a flying V guitar, on board a spacecraft-meditation room overlooking an earth-like planet? These are playful paintings, in which one can take delight. They are conjured by an interesting mind, engaged in a flight of fancy, coupled with accomplished technical finesse and grace. The at-ease sense of humour present in the work offers assurance that the artist was having a wonderful time while creating.

 

Hunt’s artistic vision is unique. It is also under-appreciated in the New Zealand art lexicon. Relationships to the work of Bill Hammond, Roger Mortimer, Séraphine Pick and perhaps also Richard Killeen are detectable. However, the vision presented is altogether different to any of those artists. Hunt draws on paranoiac aspects of contemporary culture – surveillance technology, military hegemony, conspiratorial whisperings of imminent dystopia – while weaving in threads of consumer tech and sci-fi, biblical judgement and spiritual enlightenment. These paintings summarise the pain and possibility of our age, when utopia seems both a naïve dream and a tantalisingly possibility.

 

All of these threads can be read in two excellent examples of Hunt’s work, Memory of the Sacrifice (Lot 72), and Utopian Spiritual Space Machine (Lot 73). The latter, with its winged-tiger space commander figure and guitar-wielding robot companion, was painted in 2008. Its aesthetic is more sci-fi pastiche, with apparent reference to new-age spirituality in its blue and mauve crystals and space-ascension flight crew. The former, whose central figure is the washing-machine Christ, was painted in 2011. In its depiction of a cathedral window, a trumpet-blowing angel, and winding staircase to heaven (along with escalator descending to hell) the references to religious painting are obvious. Yet its sci-fi space windows and jet-levitation crucifix lend it another, quirkier frame of reference. For all their differences, both of these paintings are unequivocally of a single visual sensibility.

 

In some ways, one could liken these sumptuous oil paintings to the religious art of bygone centuries – Botticelli’s angels, the iconographic hosts of Fra Angelico, or the darkly imaginative depictions of heaven and hell of Hieronymus Bosch. Though in a sense, these are false equivalences. Such artists are no more antecedents of his style than religious scripture is a predecessor to science fiction; one might string together connections, though they are unlikely to stand up to ruthless analysis. Hunt’s visual lexicon and style of painting is very much of the 21st century; it would have made little sense prior to the existence of the internet.

 

Hunt’s fantastical figurative paintings, with their utopias, space flight, heavens and hells, flying cars and dinosaurs, winged creatures, luminous cities and crystal pools are microcosms of the complexity, confusion, and prospective wonder of our time. They are illustrative, yet poetic; beautifully painted, but with just enough of a cartoonish touch to eliminate any sense that they are taking themselves too seriously; playful, though speaking to grand themes of the cosmos – sandpits of eternity.

Dimensions

1300 x 2400mm

Artist or Maker

Medium

oil on canvas

Provenance

Private collection, Sydney. Acquired from Ray Hughes Gallery, Sydney, 2008.

Payment & Shipping

Payment

Accepted forms of payment: American Express, COD (cash on delivery), MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Other, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

SHIPPING
For shipping both national and international we recommend the services of Pack and Send Ltd, who work closely with our business to enable the safe return of your new purchase.
All costs associated with the freight of your goods (packaging, shipping, consumables etc) are to be paid by the purchaser, in addition to the winning bid.

Details for Pack and Sends are listed below, or please feel free to organise another contractor of your choice.

Pack and Send Ltd
+64 9 909 9099
aucklandcity@packsend.co.nz
Contact: Neel

COLLECTION
Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer's expense immediately after the sale once payment in full has been made. If this is not done, Mosgreen-Webb's will not be responsible if the lot is lost stolen damaged or destroyed. Any payment by cheque will not be considered paid until the payment has cleared. Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to delivery of any lot.

Auction Details

Works of Art

by
Webb’s – Specialist Auctioneers’
August 09, 2021, 06:30 PM NZST

33a Normanby Rd Mt Eden, Auckland, 1024, NZ

Terms

Buyer's Premium

17.5%

Bidding Increments

From:To:Increment:
$0$499$20
$500$999$50
$1,000$1,999$100
$2,000$4,999$200
$5,000$9,999$500
$10,000$19,999$1,000
$20,000$49,999$2,000
$50,000$99,999$5,000
$100,000$199,999$10,000
$200,000$499,999$20,000
$500,000+$50,000

Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions For Buyers

1. BIDDING
The highest bidder shall be the purchaser subject to the auctioneer having the right to refuse the bid of any person. Should any dispute arise as to the bidding the lot in dispute will be immediately put up for sale again at the preceding bid or the auctioneer may declare the purchaser which declaration shall be conclusive. No person shall advance less as a bid than the sum nominated by the auctioneer. A bid may be withdrawn before the auctioneer declares that bidding on a lot is closed.
2. RESERVES
All lots are sold subject to the right of the seller or his agent to impose a reserve.
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Purchasers shall complete a bidding card before the sale giving their own correct name address and telephone number. It is accepted by bidders that the supply of false information on a bidding card shall be interpreted as deliberate fraud.
4. BUYERS' PREMIUM
The purchaser accepts that Mossgreen-Webb's will apply a buyer's premium which is charged in addition to the hammer price (unless otherwise stated) together with GST on the premium, which combined sum shall be the total purchase price. The rate of Buyers Premium is published in each catalogue online in conjunction with the catalogue. Please note that there is a minimum Buyers' Premium of 17.5%.
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Payment for all items purchased is due on the day of sale immediately following completion of the sale. If full payment cannot be made on the day of sale a deposit of 10% of the total sum due must be made on the day of sale and the balance must be paid, in clear funds, within 5 working days. Mossgreen Webbs accepts Cash, Eftpos, Visa and Mastercard (with a 2.2% merchant fee) and Amex (with a 3.3% merchant fee). Personal Cheques are accepted though goods will not be released until funds are cleared.
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They have full discretion to conduct all aspects of the sale and to withdraw any lot from the sale without giving any reason.
8. COLLECTION
Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer's expense immediately after the sale once payment in full has been made. If this is not done, Mossgreen-Webb's will not be responsible if the lot is lost stolen damaged or destroyed. Any payment by cheque will not be considered paid until the payment has cleared.
Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to delivery of any lot.
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Buyers who purchase an item which falls within the provisions of the Antiquities Act 1975 or the Arms Act 1958 cannot take possession of that item until they have shown to Mossgreen-Webb's a license under the appropriate Act.
10. FAILURE TO MAKE PAYMENT
If a purchaser fails either to pay for or take away any lot Mossgreen-Webb's shall without further notice to the purchaser at its absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights or remedies it may have be entitled to exercise one or more of the following rights or remedies:
a. To issue proceeding against the purchaser for damages for breach of contract.
b. To rescind the sale of that or any other lot sold to the purchaser at the same
or any other auction.
c. To resell the lot by public or private sale. Any deficiency resulting from such resale, after giving credit to the purchaser for any part payment together with all costs incurred in connection with the lot, shall be paid to Mossgreen-Webb's by the purchaser. Any surplus over the proceeds of sale shall belong to the seller and in this condition the expression "proceeds of sale" shall have the same meaning in relation to a sale by private treaty as it has in relation to a sale by auction.
d. To store the lot whether at Mossgreen-Webb's own premises or elsewhere at the sole expense of the purchaser and to release the lot only after the purchase price has been paid in full plus the accrued cost of removal storage and all other costs connected to the lot.
e. To charge interest on the purchase price at a rate 2% above Mossgreen-Webb's bankers' then current rate for commercial overdraft facilities to the extent that the price or any part of it remains unpaid for more than seven days from the date of the sale.
f. To retain possession of that or any other lot purchased by the purchaser at that or any other auction and to release the same only after payment of money due.
g. To apply the proceeds of sale of any lot then or subsequently due to the purchaser towards settlement of money due to Mossgreen-Webb's or it's vendor. Mossgreen-Webb's shall be entitled to a possessory lien on any property of the purchaser for any purpose while any money remains unpaid under this contract.
h. To apply any payment made by the purchaser to Mossgreen-Webb's towards any money owing to Mossgreen-Webb's in respect of anything whatsoever irrespective of any directive given in respect of or restriction placed upon such payment by the purchaser whether expressed or implied.
i. Title and right of disposal of the goods shall not pass to the purchaser until payment has been made in full by cleared funds. Where any lot purchased in held by Mossgreen-Webb's pending i. clearance of funds by the purchaser or ii. completion of payment after receipt of a deposit the lot will be held by Mossgreen-Webb's as bailee for the vendor risk and title passing to the purchaser immediately upon notification of clearance of funds or upon completion of purchase. In the event that a lot is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed before title is transferred to the purchaser, the purchaser shall be entitled to a refund of all monies paid to Mossgreen-Webb's in respect of that lot but shall not be entitled to any compensation for any consequent losses howsoever arising.
11. BIDDERS DEEMED PRINCIPALS
All bidders shall be held personally and solely liable for all obligations arising from
any bid including both telephone and absentee bids. Any person wishing to bid as
agent for a third party must obtain written authority to do so from Mossgreen-Webb's prior to bidding.
12.SUBJECT BIDS
Where the highest bid is below the reserve and the auctioneer declares a sale to be "subject to vendor's consent" or words to that effect the highest bid remains binding upon the bidder until the vendor accepts or rejects it. If the bid is accepted there is a contractual obligation upon the bidder to pay for the lot. However a bid may be withdrawn by the highest bidder at any time before the vendor accepts the bid. Once accepted by the vendor a contract has been formed.
13. SALES POST AUCTION OR BY PRIVATE TREATY
The above conditions shall apply to all buyers of goods from Mossgreen-Webb's irrespective of the circumstances under which the sale is negotiated.

Shipping & Collection

SHIPPING
For shipping both national and international we recommend the services of Pack and Send Ltd, who work closely with our business to enable the safe return of your new purchase.
All costs associated with the freight of your goods (packaging, shipping, consumables etc) are to be paid by the purchaser, in addition to the winning bid.

Details for Pack and Sends are listed below, or please feel free to organise another contractor of your choice.

Pack and Send Ltd
+64 9 909 9099
aucklandcity@packsend.co.nz
Contact: Neel

COLLECTION
Purchases are to be taken away at the buyer's expense immediately after the sale once payment in full has been made. If this is not done, Mosgreen-Webb's will not be responsible if the lot is lost stolen damaged or destroyed. Any payment by cheque will not be considered paid until the payment has cleared. Any items not collected within seven days of the auction may be subject to a storage and insurance fee. A receipted invoice must be produced prior to delivery of any lot.