Jerry Gant (November 21, 1961 – November 11, 2018)
As a multi-disciplined visual fine artist, poet, arts educator, activist and self-driven historian, Jerry Gant created work which reflected the human spirit of the community’s people, while challenging conventional thinking. A native of Newark, New Jersey, he was a fixture on the arts and culture scene for more than 35 years. Jerry’s long list of accomplishments span the literary, performing and visual arts boasting numerous solo projects and gallery group exhibitions, as well as outstanding critical reviews and awards.
A pioneer in the sustainable fashion movement, Jerry launched his art career on the streets of Newark and New York City in the 1980’s with hand painted, thrifted clothing. Over time, his upcycling methods evolved to include intricate art motifs created with distinctive textile treatments. His early street art and graffiti pursuits were influenced and inspired by his chance encounters with such notable contemporaries as Andy Warhol, Jean Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. Jerry was committed to cultivating projects ‘outside the cube’ to heighten the exposure of a fine art aesthetic in urban communities. In addition to creating murals in Newark, Miami and London, he was commissioned to create permanent public artworks by the City of Newark, New Jersey Transit and the Trust for Public Land. The latter project featured 13 sculptures installed at Nat Turner Park, the largest city-owned park in Newark. In 2018, he was one of a select group of international artists whose work is featured on the Art Wall facade surrounding the PSE&G Fairmount Heights Switching Station. Among his collectors are WBGO Radio and the Newark Public Library Special Collections. Since his passing, two of Jerry Gant’s sculptural works have been acquired by the Newark Museum of Art for their permanent collection.
The Jerry J Gant Estate is represented by Pink Dragon Artist Syndicate.
Email: PinkDragonArtistSyndicate@gmail.com Follow @jerrygantlegacy on IG and FB