Hugo's earliest memories are of walking hand in hand with his twin sister Julia and his nanny Miss Lyons. They walked most days in the magical parks of Kensington, London, looking at the trees, the dogs, the old ladies feeding the pigeons. Sent to boarding school at the tender age of seven, Hugo spent much of his spare time in the art department making figures from empty loo rolls and cornflake packets. Later he made a large three-legged horse from plaster of paris which stood in the garage of his home until it was run over by his mother. Although he won a painting prize at school, his artistic nature was not encouraged. Eventually he prevailed upon his parents and went to art school in London to study studio pottery.
In 1995 business success brought Hugo to New York. In 2002, Hugo showed his early linocuts of underpants and battleships to John Derian. They became friends and John encouraged Hugo to do larger work. He has had four shows at the legendary store since then. Hugo lives in Brooklyn with his wife Elliot Puckette, the painter. They have two daughters, Isabella and Violet, and a canary.
Hugo is a successful painter, illustrator and writer. Many of his bold, black-and-white prints have appeared in films and publications such as 'The New Yorker', 'The New York Times' and 'Vogue' as well as collaborations with Coach and J Crew. Hugo shared an Oscar nomination with Wes Anderson for the screenplay of 'The Grand Budapest Hotel'. Recently he completed an animated short 'I Will Always Remember You' benefitting the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.
WSJ Gallery are the sole representatives for Hugo Guinness in the UK.