The Last Black Calligrapher in San Francisco ?b.1981 Minneapolis,MN raised in Rhode Island
Bio.
Hunter Saxony III stands as a solitary figure in a historic tradition, often referred to with a bittersweet irony as "The Last Black Calligrapher in San Francisco." Born in Minneapolis in 1981 and shaped by his youth in Rhode Island, his journey has been one of self made mastery and profound inquiry. His calligraphy is not merely decoration; it is a complex, almost architectural blend of abstract forms, evocative pictures, and text a direct confrontation with the human experience. Through his practice, Hunter seeks to give tangible shape to the weight of mortality, the fluid landscape of identity, and the desperate, beautiful act of preservation. Drawing inspiration from the solemn rigor of historical scripts and the raw energy of Metal and Hip-hop, his work is a deliberate act of vulnerability, offering a visceral yet meticulously crafted window into the intricate, sometimes painful, nature of life.
His canvases are instantly recognizable by a signature, often stark palette of red and black brushstrokes, a duality that speaks to both the lifeblood and the shadow of his own experiences. The marks he makes are not just confident; they are an absolute necessity, the cumulative result of delicate and pivotal moments of reflection forged over years of self instruction. Without the formal cushion of academic training, Hunter was forced to immerse himself completely, mastering the minute intricacies of lettering, filigree, and flourishing. This technical prowess is less an end than a demanding tool, one that allows him to dismantle the expected boundaries of calligraphy, demonstrating a fierce commitment to both artistic inquiry and a continuous, self aware evolution
Self Taught ~ Calligrapher ~ Curator ~ Ornamentalist
Lives and works in San Francisco, CA
Curriculum VitaeSolo Exhibitions2025. Axis of Compassion
Eleanor Harwood Gallery | San Francisco, CA
2024 Piece’s of a (Black) Man
Minnesota St. Projects | San Francisco, CA
2023 You have my Heart… it’s ok to rest here.
Eleanor Harwood Gallery | San Francisco, CA
Museum Exhibitions2023 Marin MOCA National Juried Exhibition
Jurors Award: This Part of Me is You
Honorable Mention: Unfurling
Marin MOCA | Novato, CA
2022 Strikethrough Typographic Messages of Protest
Letterform Archive | San Francisco, CA
Selected Group Exhibitions2024 ‘LINE ADDICTS' Curated by Hi-Fructose at Thinkspace
Thinkspace Projects | Los Angeles, California
2024 New Opulence : Artists working in Maximalism
Roq La Rue | Seattle, Washington
2023 Group Text curated by Beta Epochs
LeftField Gallery | Los Osos, California
2022 Inaugural Exhibition
Roq La Rue @ Art and Object | Seattle, Washington
2012 But the Earth is Dark, the Coffin thick, and the Shroud Opaque
Old Crow Tattoo and Gallery | Oakland, California
Public Collections 2025. Ashe
Hood Museum @ Dartmouth University
Hannover, New Hampshire
2024 Altar/Alter, Past Is an Anchor and Blanket III
Richard Harrison Collection of Calligraphy & Lettering @ SF Public Library
San Francisco, CA
2023 “BLM” Printed by Samaritan Press
Richard Harrison Collection of Calligraphy & Lettering @ SF Public Library
San Francisco, CA
2022 Nia Wilson Series (1-4)
Letterform Archive, San Francisco, CA
Bibliography2023 Last Black Calligrapher of SF, Alta Journal Magazine
2023 San Francisco’s Last Black Calligrapher invites you to go deeper, Craftsmanship Initiative.org
2023 Dream in Color, Tre Seals Published by Chronicle Chroma
2022 StrikeThrough! Typographic Messages of Protest, Silas Muro & Letterform Archive
2022 New Contemporary Art Magazine Vol.63, High Fructose Magazine
2022 Collecting Graphic Design, Optik Books
2021 Luxury of Calligraphy, Umber Magazine
Video2022 Visual Reflections of a Black Future
TypeWest Lecture Series, San Francisco Public Library