Gregory Michael Carter: Champion God Flow, and Desira Garcia: Step Into the Mix (PrintHouston 2015)

Hooks-Epstein Galleries is proud to present Gregory Michael Carter: Champion God Flow, and Desira Garcia: Step Into the Mix; exhibitions of mixed media work. The exhibitions open Saturday, June 6, 2015, at 11:00 a.m.

The work in Gregory Michael Carter’s, Champion God Flow, are influenced by the institutions of church, hip hop music and sports, in particular the NBA. The church within the African American community has influenced the culture from day one.

In the NBA, players encompass America’s perceptions of black masculinity. The exhibition’s title, Champion God Flow, is mentioned in a hip hop track and is a phrase that describes a particular frame of mind.

Carter states, “The phrase came from a popular Kanye West song titled, New God Flow. In that song Kanye writes: “I went from most hated to the Champion God Flow, I guess thats a feeling only me and LeBron know.” These lines can be interpreted a number of ways, but one thing that inspired me about this particular phrase is the idea that there is no separation from the ugly side of race and class despite the wealth and power that comes with that type of celebrity.”

Gregory Michael Carter received his BFA from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA, in 2001. He has shown his artwork not only here in Houston, but in Miami, FL, Chicago, IL, New York, NY, Austin, TX, Osaka, Japan, and Madrid, Spain. He currently resides in New York City.

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/GMC_ER

In Desira Garcia’s, Step Into the Mix, she has used her background in graphic design and print, and her love and interest in textile design and pattern work, as her inspiration. Tradition plays a major role in textile design and special attention is devoted to these items that are used for ceremonies or festivals and to record the history without the use of a written language.

Garcia states, “Step Into the Mix, is in reference to the mixing of cultures and history with the use of pattern work as a language or a form of communication against strong imagery, that will, overall, suggest a narrative to the viewer.”

Desira Garcia received her AAS in Graphic Design from The Art Institute of Houston in 2006 and her BFA from the University of Houston in 2014. She has been in a number of group exhibitions in Houston. She currently resides in Houston.

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/desiragarcia