Startle is delighted to welcome UK creative, Harry Bunce to our portfolio of artists. Harry has carved out a unique position in the art world with his cast of cute, but not always cuddly, creatures.
Quirky and distinctive paintings, as well as sculptures, of rabbits and cats defy categorisation, combining illustration, street and fine art, with a biting sense of humour.
After a brief and volatile spell at Art School, Bunce studied Fashion and Textiles at Bristol and spent two decades working in fashion. In 2007, his life was changed by a simple question asked by an old school friend at a party - How’s the art going? – which resulted in a turning point for both his career and ambitions.
Bunce still credits his early influences as inspirational children’s authors and illustrators including Beatrix Potter, Richard Scarry and Dr Seuss, alongside punk rock, which blew his 10 year old self away. His work also reflects modern masters such as David Hockney and Keith Haring whose presence regularly makes itself felt in his work.
Harry’s broad appeal has won him admirers from all walks of life, including BBC TV presenter Julia Bradbury and the late Jamaican record producer, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. His whimsical images are becoming increasingly prized by collectors who have described his work as ‘Beatrix Potter meets Quentin Tarantino’ and Bunce himself as our ‘rural Banksy’.
He says: “I like cats because they sort of pretend to be pets, but aren’t and I can ask them to do things that would embarrass the rabbits.” Cute!
