The Last Black Calligrapher in SF: Hunter Saxony III on Ritual, Resistance & the Power of Words

New to the channel? Subscribe and turn on notifications:🔔 @artschoolgradpodcastHunter Saxony III is a San Francisco-based calligrapher, installation artist, and conceptual storyteller known for fusing historic letterforms with themes of identity, loss, and Black legacy. In this thought-provoking conversation, Hunter opens up about his journey from Rhode Island’s underground hardcore scene to becoming what he calls “The Last Black Calligrapher in San Francisco.”We dive into the power of red and black ink, the spiritual and political weight of his work, and how his Nia Wilson series rewrites history—literally. Hunter shares how grief, mysticism, and vintage ephemera inform his visual language and why his work is less about being understood and more about being felt. Whether you’re interested in conceptual art, sacred storytelling, or using design as a form of resistance—this episode is a masterclass in creating with intention, complexity, and care.🎧 This episode is for you if: You want to explore calligraphy beyond tradition and into activism. You use art to process grief, identity, and personal history. You’re curious about mixing mysticism, ornamentation, and narrative. You’re inspired by conceptual artists and non-linear storytelling. You want to see how lettering can reclaim and redefine legacy.⏱️ In This Episode: Intro — Who is Hunter Saxony III?From Rhode Island to SF: A self-taught calligrapher’s journey. Discovering power in letters, punk shows, and poetry. The birth of “The Last Black Calligrapher in SF” Nia Wilson series: memory, mourning, and burning history. Red ink, Black ink: the symbolism behind the palette. Writing on top of time: vintage ephemera and erasure. Legibility, secrecy, and sacred codes. Collaborating through tattoos and community ritual. Living and creating in a changing San Francisco. Success, spirituality, and what’s next.🖋️ Connect with Hunter Saxony III:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/death_by_a_1000_serifs/Letterform Archive Collection: https://letterformarchive.orgWebsite: https://pocketfullaamethyst.com/press🎨 More Podcast Episodes:https://bio.site/ArtSchoolGraduatePodcast✨ Resources Mentioned:– Nia Wilson / Say Her Name / No Silence– Letterform Archive– Between You and I Series– Pergamenata & Vellum Techniques– Jenny Holzer, Pina Bausch, Saul Williams (influences)