User:Gligraphics/sandbox
Gregory Lamont Ingram (born April 10, 1961) aka Spare 7, gli, Gregory-167, bet tmt
Visual Artist, Graphics Artist,Graffiti Artist, Photographer, Community Activist, Horticulturist, Break Dancer, Audiophile, Philanthropist
As a New York City subway graffiti artist, he has collaborated and known some of the best of the Golden Age of Graffiti (1975-1980) Neon 2, Slave TF5, Flead one, Dondi, Lee Quinones, DJ David Morales(IR-One),Ree-2,TI-149, Shadow One, Tracy 168, Jee 2 TOP, Keith Haring, The Magnificent Team, The Fabulous Five, The Odd Partners,and was king of New Lots yards (1977-1980)
Love of art
As a child, Greg always knew he wanted to create but once a teenager, he was able to practice this. In junior high his mother used to bring him art supplies where used on the subway trains mostly.Living in Flatbush he met Neon2 and Maco who taught the better side of tagging on the train, which he practice which going to school on the subway. Moving back to East New York the train yard was only 3 blocks away.Greg had many partners but Slave One tops them. Through Kenneth Durant he met Lee Quinones where he explored the Graffiti's Golden Age. (1975-80)
Gregory's first job was at Ted Bates Worldwide being a messenger/apprentice.There he learned about commercial arts from the best in the business.(1976-1981) In school he was accepted to Pratt Institute but because of low scores went to N.Y.C. Technical College.Dropping out of college made problems at Bates. Realizing and told by his mentors that he learns better in the field. Took his skills and hung in the East Village at Fun Gallery with Dondi. Then got a job delivering Artspeaks gallery newspaper in main areas Soho and 57th st (1982-1986) He also volunteered at Art Information Center with Dan Conchalar. This led him to George H. Shechtman of Gallery Henoch who represented Bob Binder of Ted Bates.(Greg's mom boss at Bates)This is where he learned about business of Fine Art and works there this present day. Greg calls him "Pops".There Greg met and became friends with Ivan Karp, Louis K. Meisel, June Kelly and Mary Boone who had galleries in the area. During that time he volunteered with "Artists Talk on Art",as producer and White Columns as gallery maintenance.(1985-1988) In 1986 he worked at a photo lab as a messenger/ retoucher, Cosmic Sound Delight",this will help when he started in photography. These days, Gregory still does sketches or preps for murals and projects that he wants to do.
Photography and documentation has been a passion for Gregory. He believes that one should write their own legacy. Having a graphics arts and commercial background he decided to make a web site to show his fine and commercial arts skills. The web site is: https://gligraphics.wixsite.com/pr-photo
Drugs and Depression
After Keith Haring's death he found himself depressed about his fine art career that was going no where.Like many others in his hood of East New York he became a crack addict.While fighting this drug he was introduced to Richard Green. Under his leadership horticulture became Greg's therapy to combat his addiction. After working at the Crown Heights Collective's gardens he was inspired to assisted and build other community gardens in Brooklyn. In 1998, he joined Citizens' Committee whom taught him how to work with city agencies and non-profits.This led him to start his own garden called, Gregory's Garden aka P.S.158K Memorial Garden. Another great person was instrumental with helping Gregory's come back to the arts was Danny Simmons. He asked Gregory to work installing and maintenance of Rush Arts Gallery in Chelsea.
Horticulturist and Community Activist/ Advocate
"To be a great urban gardener you must be an activist too" a quote by gli. Being mentored by some great people in the field like, Green thumb's Edie Kean,Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Ellen Kirby and Council on the Environment's Gerard Lordahl help to assist in building more gardens in East New York, Brooklyn.As a community activist he has been known to his community board and other political people personally for the over 20 years. Gregory has founded a non-profit, "East New York 4 Gardens".As an advocate his expertise is art in the community and parks for everyone. His web site is https://gligraphics.wixsite.com/eny4gardens
Love of music
Being a record collector and audiophile Gregory's has befriended many D.J.s and musicians.Being able to dance helps lot too. While working at Ted Bates he hung at the dress-up clubs like Bentley's and Bonds International.In 1981 he met DJ Tony Humphries who opened the underground clubs life to him. This relationship would deepen his appreciation for all kinds of music especially house. His favorite clubs are the Paradise Garage, Zanzibar,the Loft and The Shelter (where he worked) but as a dancer he never turned down a good party.