Revealing... I’m a creative, fun adventurer

Antoine Hunt’s work is currently on display at the Bermuda National Gallery’s Biennial at City Hall.

As Hunt moves forward he sees his personal narrative evolving through his stills and abstract work. Otherwise, he is currently exploring processes such as food preparation and alcohol distillation viewed through an anthropological lens.

He said: “I find myself more and more attracted to long form documentary as it creates opportunity for all aspects of a story to be told through a highly technical process. I found my muse in Mexico, having discovered and fallen in love with Mescal (the better version of tequila as most know it) and its rich history. It’s also pretty interesting to drink.”

Interview by Sarah Lagan.

What’s your earliest memory?

This would be memories of going to the beach every day and all the adventures I had exploing the “jungle” that was my area of Paget and Warwick, South Shore.

What were you like in school?

Shy and introverted.

If you were given a million dollars tomorrow what would you do with it?

Spend it all in one place!

Who is your hero/heroine?

Anyone that realizes and follows their passion.

Human trait you value most in others?

Kindness.

Do you believe in fate?

Fate is what happens when you set out to achieve your ambitions in a systematic way.

Your greatest fear?

Being sucked through an opening the size of a drainpipe.

Most embarrassing moment?

I tend to forget about things like that, until someone decides to tell of one of them at a dinner party… great!

Your ultimate ambition?

That would be to really be able to have the freedom to manifest the ideas of sculpture, film, painting and all things that would come next from having that freedom.

Your most unappealling habit?

The fodder that would be future inspiration I surround myself with, otherwise referred to as clutter, by my wife...

Describe yourself in three words.

Creative, fun adventurer.

Which human trait do you dislike the most?

Addiction, hard to trust someone thats distracted in that way.

Best party you’ve ever been to?

There was this time when I used to travel to Toronto, and I would end up in abandoned buildings and warehouses and such, having no idea where and how I got there or how to get back… all for house music.

Anyone you’d like to say ‘sorry’ to?

Yes, I think we all have one or two of those stories.

Worst job you’ve ever done?

I don’t know if I would describe any thing as worst, just as character building!

Biggest regret?

I had a chance to be a roadie in my early teens and was too chicken shit to leave the comfort of my little island home.

Closest you’ve ever come to death?

I woke up one morning with a twisted testicle... lost all feeling in my hands and legs, pain like never before or since, I probably  would not have died but, wow… thank you Dr Dyer.

Your desert island song?

When Doves Cry — Prince.

What do you do if you can’t sleep?

Turn over and pull out the melatonin.

If you had a time machine, where would you go?

Right to the end of my life to see how it turned out.

Most unpleasant exchange you’ve ever had with a person?

When I had to justify being late for a shoot — I had to walk
because my bike broke down on the way and could not get a ride or taxi... so carrying things for the shoot in the middle of August and the director was unsympathetic … I kinda ‘lost’ it and told him where to go in not so kind words in front of everyone.

Best advice you have ever taken?

Go out into the world and do everything that you want to do.

Define romantic love.

Thinking about her all the time, wondering what and how she’s doing. Waiting anxiously for the next time you get close to and
inhale the intoxicating feeling that makes you want to never leave her embrace.

Most treasured possession?

The means to acquire more possessions.

A dream location for a home?

Anywhere on or next to water.

What keeps you up at night?

Usually anxiety around creative decisions.

Guilty pleasure?

Ice-cream with chocolate sauce.

Favourite film?

Eraserhead by David Lynch. It has stuck in my head and in some small way shapes my approach to the art films that I make.

Your proudest achievement?

Hmmm, I’m still working on that. I’m not ever satisfied with what I do... the next time it will be better!

Most important lesson life has taught you?

To keep going forward, everything that you experience is just part of who you are and adds to the flavour.

What would you most like to be remembered for?

Being a great artist in a world that would not attach that artist to his ethnicity and race.