WISHFUL THINKING VOL. 3

This weeks edition of WISHFUL THINKING takes a dive into the Art world, as World Art Day is coming up on April 15. Detroit born & Morehouse grad, artist Horace Imhotep sat down with The Gallery at Wish ATL to talk about his background and his current body of work LIONS, TIGERS, BEARS AND A DRACO, slated to open in The Gallery in 2020! Bump this weeks mix featuring some soundbites from the interview, check out the transcript below & shop some of our art inspired pieces online here!

Michigan born Horace Imhotep received his BFA in graphic design in Ft. Lauderdale, Fl at the University of Miami, went into advertising soon after and ultimately landed in Atlanta to study Biology and Art History at Morehouse College. He has worked in many industries including jewelry making, but currently paints and designs for his brand Blood, Sweat and Tears. Horace’s fine art is visually quite special, if you are lucky enough to catch an exhibition or are close to the artist himself.

Transcript

Gallery : How did you get started in the arts?
Horace : My mother introduced me to the world of art. When she was a college student, she used to let me run and roam around the art buildings. That is where I saw my first naked women; later, I came to discover that it was a life drawing class and the model was referred to as a “ nude” or “life drawing” model. My mother would drag my brother and I to museums and galleries often and regularly.


Gallery: Can you tell us about your current body of work Lion, Tigers, Bears and A Draco)?
Horace: Lion, Tigers, Bears and A Draco is about a boy and his imagination. The artist statement for this collection is below, which is perfectly captured in words by Eden Araya:”In an alien nation where Ivorian rapacity breeds tricknology, what is left for a boy and his imagination?  In a post-crack dystopia where childhood is robbed, the young black imagination redefines the hero’s journey as a framework to birth the conquering outlaw: where castles are traded for forty acres and swords for semi automatics.  A dark, yet liberating hologram embedded in the psyche, this imagination lends itself as medicine for the disenfranchised youth. Much like the hero’s journey, however, the outlaw must return home to the simulated terror of reality.  LTBAD illustrates a parable that explores the matrix of ancestral memory at the crossroads of Black subjugation.”


Gallery: Tell us a little bit about the painting Draco and Savage?
Horace: It’s based on a Dubois Ideology. But the piece is of a kid and he is having an out of body experience. What you see is a spectrum of anger. You see him going from red hot to yellow hot to white hot to black. So basically saying that whatever you’ve done to this kid, it’s about to go really bad for whoever this energy is directed to. There are a lot of ancestral ties to my work and it’s aggressive. All of my work is coming from a real place and this is a piece that I felt like I was starting to evolve because it speaks to where I am right now.


Gallery: What does your work aim to say? Does your work comment on current or political issues?
Horace: I don’t want to say much; I’m no wordsmith, but imagery is the future. Big words mean very little in certain rooms. I always try to be in “the now”,  but make references to the past to give context to the present.


Gallery: How has practice changed over time? Have you always painted in such a graphic way?
Horace: My practice has become push for minimal. As I evolve, or hope to evolve, I look to need to use less to convey more.

Gallery: Who/what are your biggest influences?
Horace: My influences are myself, my mother and father, the ancestors, Charles White, Caravaggio, Lichtenstein, Young Dolph, Dali,  Bearden, Nipsey (R.I.P. to the Prophet) and Parks. The list goes on and on, but currently, these are the names at the forefront of my mind.


Gallery: Describe a real-life situation that inspired you?
Horace: My work sometimes speaks to the beautiful uglies of the world.

Gallery: What do you like most about being an artist and why?
Horace: Being an artist is oftentimes a love-hate relationship. To be the best artist, one must tell the truth. It can be her or his personal truth, but at the core there must be genuine and sincere truth. The why of being an artist is something I have never had a luxury of contemplating; I was designed to be who and what I am.  I’m some sort of creative operating system. I just perform functions and tasks.

Shaun Rose Live at The Gallery | WISH

We’ve partnered with The Yes Life to create a new series entitled “Live at The Gallery | WISH”. This week’s performance is Shaun Rose performing her song “Air”.

Director: Kosh
Producer: Sammy Approved
DP: Jaylen Baker
Gaffer: Paulus Abuakel Editors: Jaylen Baker & Kosh
Sound Design: Jaylen Baker
Set Designer: Shatel Teague
PA: Gerod Bond
Recording Engineer: Will Hill
Mixing Engineer: Momotee Doe
Photographer: Mark B. Wavy
Production Company: The YES Life

live, Music, Shaun Rose, the gallery

Saint Jhn Brings “Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs” to the Gallery

On August 15th, SAINt JHN and WishATL surprised Atlanta with a listening party for SAINt JHN’s second studio album “Ghetto Lenny’s Love Songs” in The Wish Gallery. As soon as the doors opened the gallery was full of fans eager to hear the artist’s upcoming release. 

After last year’s release of his first studio album, Collection One, SAINtJHN released a number of popular singles and collaborated with massive artists such as Beyoncé (on the 2019 Lion King soundtrack), Wizkid, Lil Baby and Meek Mill which left his fans hungry for his next major release.

SAINtJHN used the event to connect with and thank all of his Atlanta fans before the album’s official release.

For more updates be sure to follow the gallery’s Instagram (@WishATLGallery).

Music, Saint Jhn, the gallery

Wish ATL x ATL UTD

 

We teamed up with Championship soccer team, Atlanta United for a take over of The Gallery by Wish. ATL UTD showcased amazing photographs from the inaugural season until the Championship game. The Cup, Rings, and apparel by Reigning Champ was also on view. We were thrilled to host the team and share in celebration of this amazing team!

WISH | Battle Of The Brands FINALE #WishBOTB

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In our efforts to continue to support local brands, creatives and designers, our WISH team launched the first ever #WishBattleOfTheBrands. Battle of the Brands is a collaboration with three Atlanta brands: GOD IS DOPE | WISDOM FASHION HOUSE| ATLANTA INFLUENCES EVERYTHING | Each brand had the opportunity to utilize @wishatlgallery as a pop up shop, as well as create a collaboration tee with WISH ATL The winner has an opportunity for future orders to be sold in WISH ATL.
ATL, the choice is yours! Votes based on: ?
• Creativity Of Pop Up
• Audience Engagement
• Collaboration Tee

JOIN US 7.6.18 @wishatlgallery for the #WishBOTB FINALE | 6-9PM ?

WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE? #TheGalleryByWish ?#WishATL

WISH ATL: BATTLE OF THE BRANDS! #WishBOTB

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The love during #WishBOTB has been incredible! Our mission is being fulfilled daily when each of you stop by to support each brands pop up at The Gallery x WISH. Last, but not least we have @atlantainfluenceseverything at @wishatlgallery 6.27.18 | #WishBOTB is not your average competition; it’s our way of collaborating and advocating for creative designers in the streetwear community. Each brand has already created their own following and is known throughout the ATL streetwear community. The choice is yours ATL! 

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ATLANTA INFLUENCES EVERYTHING  POP UP

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GOD IS DOPE POP UP

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WISDOM POP UP

TDE: The Championship Tour Pop Up Shop at The Gallery x WISH

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The TOP DAWG ENT Championship Tour Collection popped up at WISH! The concept of the collection was expressed through the use of mesh jerseys and shorts, Nike Dri Fit apparel, including novelty souvenir items like the exclusive TDE Football. The Championship Tour Pop Shop attracted a large crowd wrapped around front to the parking lot of The Gallery x Wish. All fans were able to purchase their exclusive merchandise then head to the show! Check out our Instagram Highlights for more. #WISHATL | #TheChampionShipTour

TURN TABLE YOGA: Special Pop Edition w/ @Activvely + YEAR OF OURS

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TurnTable Yoga sponsored by Wish ATL & Year of Ours Activewear!

Atlanta’s hottest yoga party by Acvtivvely came to L5P’s dopest space, THE GALLERY x WISH. It was a one of kind evening featuring a sweat sesh, fresh activewear trends straight from LA and a first look at Pastiche Lumumba’s never before seen exhibit. It was an absolute success! From the incredible energy & Core Power Yoga’s amazing instructor Kayla Preston. I think it’s safe to say WISH may be your next favorite spot for yoga. Thank you ATL Yogis & Fit Fam for joining us! Shop YEAR OF OURS at WISH & STAY TUNED to what’s new in-store & at The Gallery By Wish!

The Gallery By Wish x An Exploration Of Her Ritual: Opening Night

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Art By: Chrissy Brimmage

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Live Painting By: Faatimah Stevens

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An Exploration of Her Ritual (HER RITUAL), is an exhibition focused on the exploration and celebration of the rituals practiced by women of color.

HER RITUAL features twenty-three (23) new and original works created by Atlanta-based artists, photographers, designers and filmmakers, focused on the mystery and normalcy of feminal rituals. Each woman explores a ritual through the lens of personal, cultural and familial traditions, as well as non-traditional, modern rituals. Each work incorporates photography as a connective thread reinforcing the rawness and authenticity of each ritual. The opening will include interactive elements, inviting guests to also engage in on-site rituals. Our community continues to help make the gallery opening a success! With a line passed the gallery and around the corner, we can say we had a packed house! The feedback and interaction with the art/artists was positive and so empowering.

An Exploration of Her Ritual | Curated by: Monica Campana, SOAP Goods Creative and Paula Cuevas On View till May 4th, 2018!

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