We had the good fortune of connecting with Gregg Emery and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Gregg, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Being an artist always made sense and felt right, however, the journey to build the business side of my life as an artist has been full of equal parts learning, paying careful attention and building relationships with people with which to share and build together. I have been very lucky to meet some of my ‘art heroes’ along the way, including Cai Guo Qiang, Swoon, Liza Lou and many others, as well as forge strong friendships with artists I admire and have grown with through the years. It is also important to learn from people and experiences outside of the typical art world. Partnering with interior designers, writers, music producers even having my work on a prominent TV show was all about relationships. Not a relationship in which either or both of us are looking for something specific from one another but authentic partnerships where we both promote, encourage and inspire each other in our unique creative journey.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
In the past 5 years, I have sharpened my focus on ways to connect with others in my artistic practice and invite people to be a part of my work through collaboration, digital exploration and more. I have also begun to explore more deeply the idea of creativity, meditation and healing following destruction or repair, mending and making something new following damage or loss. The metaphorical relations are obvious but it has been a palpable moment of moving forward and a concrete way of exploring difficult questions with myself and others both in my artistic practice and art education work as well. Growing up a mile outside the Akwesasne Mohawk territory paired with time spent among my Quaker grandparents left a lasting impact on myself and my art practice. Meditation through paint is a way to distill the noise, chaos and commotion of daily life and channel it into a manageable, tangible series of layers, marks and moments in color.

I believe what makes my work unique is the thread of community that winds its way through and binds it all together. Whether I am working, alone in my studio, layering a piece during a live collaboration event or sketching on the train, all of these experiences are moments of reaching in while also reaching outward.

Simultaneously, I have continued to avidly sketch the world around (and at times within) myself through quick graphite gestures of people. Since childhood, I have also included connecting, sharing stories and giving the sketches to the subjects as part of this artwork. My drawings, I have come to realize, are a form of prayer, a connection to something larger than myself. They help me link directly with my place in time and space while also celebrating the beauty around me in people, places, animals and more. In many ways, while traveling from New York City to all parts of the globe, sketching has become my way of making the world a bit smaller, one drawing at a time.

At the root of all this is my belief that we are looking for authentic connections with one another, and deeper connections with our place and the world around and within us. Art can serve as a bridge or portal, a mirror or a conduit to something better.

My newest and largest project began a year ago when I initiated the process of fundraising and purchasing an old church in my hometown.  Ultimately, my plan is to build an art studio, art school for kids and artist residency in an area that is so rich but sorely lacking access to contemporary art and artmaking.  The foundation of this project is ‘hope’ built through a focus on creativity, skill building, community and collaboration.  It is about an introduction to the history of art and artmaking and where our place in that ever-shifting world may be.  It is also about generations, constructing a new series of approaches, looking to the future, while learning deeply from the past.  It is about providing access not only to materials, artists, art and processes but also the tools with which to expand those abilities into a viable career pathway.
I have also partnered with Teresa Edwards, 5 time olympic basketball medalist and starting a similar project in her hometown of Cairo, Georgia. We joined forces to raise awareness and support, with the help of the group Etcheve, through a series of talks, creative projects and NFT giveaways highlighting our work together. You can see all of this and get involved by visiting my website or our site, ‘Roots’ sponsored by Etcheve. https://etcheve.com/roots

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
New York City is such an incredible place and in a week I would definitely put a museum each day on that itinerary. The Met is probably my consistent favorite and at times I am very fortunate to be able to run through Central Park and stop in the Met to take in my favorite Rembrandt, Lautrec or the changing drawing exhibits they have on the second floor. Perhaps, we would make our way to midtown for Happy Hour at Dear Irving on the Hudson. With the most stunning views and a vibe from a 60’s or 70’s era with a contemporary edge the award winning cocktails and menu almost become icing to the cake that is this magical space. We definitely need to take in a show and I would first suggest Tuesday night Burlesque Bingo at the Moxy (It’s free and so much fun! mostly due to host Miss Frankie E) Perhaps, take a stroll through the east village, St. Marks, popping into Barcade for a few pinball games and a try at Mortal Kombat or Smash TV (my favorites) before heading for an upscale dinner at Joomak Banjum in Korea town. I would suggest making your way to Bushwick and catch a show at either Company XIV or my new favorite Red Pavilion before dancing the night away at House of Yes. (I used to sketch there and even had a painting studio in Bushwick). Then make my way home to Harlem, perhaps a nightcap at the incredible 67 Orange where it is always a party and always feels like home. (the drinks are beyond this world!). Now if you stayed with me in Harlem I would suggest we head to Harlem Biscuit the next morning for biscuit sandwiches from the hands of Chef Melvin Boots before heading to gallery hop in Chelsea and the Lower East side….perhaps we need to add to our wardrobe for our next night out. Definitely check out LAAMS on Orchard Street ask for Scotty the owner and ringleader of all the antics (I painted the storefront 2 years ago) and it is one of the creative and social hubs of the area. Be sure you check out all the floors and hang out with the staff to hear whats good in the neighborhood. Let’s head to Nurse Betties for a burlesque show before heading to the Back Room (an original speakeasy from back in the day) for the Poetry Brothel where I have been the official painter for over a decade. Tell the Madame I sent you and perhaps you’ll be whisked away to the back room of the back room. With a tea cup in hand, we will blow your minds and nothing else with intimate readings, dance, live music and the feel of a modern Moulin Rouge.
If it is a nice spring or summer day, I would have us hop the ferry to Governor’s Island or head the other direction to tour the Cloisters. There really is so much to do and think you might have to spend 2 weeks since we haven’t even made it to my studio yet.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Besides my parents the family I have found in The Poetry Society of New York over the past decade, have been encouraging, inspiring and uplifting in ways that are beyond measure. I have travelled the world with them and many of the significant positive changes in my life and work have come about because of my creative collaborations with the individuals and collective whole of the Poetry Society of New York.

Website: www.greggemery.com

Instagram: @greggvemery

Linkedin: Gregg Emery

Twitter: @GreggEmery

Facebook: GreggEmery

Image Credits
Stephen Edward Kennedy Joe Ro

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