GRIOTS REPUBLIC - AN URBAN BLACK TRAVEL MAG - OCTOBER 2016

There was a time in the 80’s that Jersey
natives could not drive anywhere in the
northern part of the state, particularly Essex
County, and not see the work of young
Jerry Gant. Not to be confused with his
contemporaries who used vibrant colors
and amazing graphics to tag their name
on any and all open spaces, Jerry departed
from that norm and depicted strong ethnic
male and female faces with even stronger
statements to make passersby not only
ponder the messages but wonder about
the messenger. A graduate from Newark’s
Arts High School, Jerry Gant is the byproduct
of middle child syndrome. “I had to
be a superhero and a scientist to keep my
imagination engaged.” In a world where
the oldest and the youngest get most of
the attention, he relied on imagination to
keep himself entertained and honed it into
creative expression.
Fast forward 30 years later….
Walk into Jerry Gants home and you enter
an almost surreal environment that is reminiscent
of a mad scientist’s workshop but
with a lot more color and ethnicity. In one
corner sits twisted, hinged, welded metals
that are shaped into amazing ethnic images.
The other corner houses spray paints
and stencils (tools of the trade). And yet
another holds screen printed and treated
clothing across from another that houses
a desk where he writes. After mere minutes
there, you cannot help but ask yourself,
“Who is this guy?” One thing that is
certain, this artist is a jack of all trades
and master of many.
GRIOTS REPUBLIC (GR): ARE YOU
A GRAFFITI ARTIST, A SCULPTOR, A
POET, A DESIGNER? JUST WHO THE
HELL ARE YOU?
Jerry Gant: Craig Mack said, “My style