The Griffin Gher Interview
Basketball In Chicago Reimagined: An Interview with Griffin Gher
By Rene Ramirez
Griffin is an artist based out of Chicago known for his artistic take on Basketball in Chicago. Right off the bat if you scroll through his Instagram you will notice that he isn’t just hydro dipping shoes. He has found a love for basketball ever since he was young and you can see that in his work.
When you think of Basketball in Chicago what do you think about? Let me guess, Michael Jordan and the Bulls huh? Well griffin has been displaying how he sees chicago and the areas surrounding it for years now. He has found this love for documenting anything related to basketball in the outskirts in Chicago. From Abandoned basketball courts in random buildings to to the middle of nowhere he knows that each of these courts have stories to tell behind them, knowing that they are abandoned now he knows those courts were full of life back then.
He has also taken his love for basketball into him creating stuff for others who also have the same love of basketball. From Hydro Dipping abandoned basketballs and making them into planters to making T shirts from some of the abandoned courts he has taken photos of. He has found some success with this. From Collaborating with Sent Rock and to having his planters and T shirts sell out. He has found a new found following and that’s why he is in FirstPlace.
Read the interview with Griffin Gher below.
So tell me griffin, How did you first get started with the selling of your creations from the Planters, The Hydrodipped basketballs to the Mini Crate Hoops?
Griffin: The hydro dipping started a little before quarantine. I had been working on the mini crate hoops to have ready for a gallery in Chicago for All Star Weekend and I was working on stencils and colors with the G Ball logo I use often. I was scrolling thru Facebook one day and saw a video on someone hydro dipping a shoe and I figured I could do that. So I started experimenting with the backboards for the crates and that’s what led me to do basketball so I could sell as a set. And then snowballed into hydro dipping any and everything. And I am always trying to figure out ways to get paid without clocking in somewhere so once I saw a demand, I worked on how to monetize my creations.
Was there anything that inspired you or motivated you to say ‘Hey I wanna make that”?
Griffin: I would just that video of a kid destroying a pair of Vans on that Facebook video. It just sparked the idea and I then started to run wild with it. This one video sparked all the ideas from basketballs to the concrete flower pots, everything that I have created the last 6-7 months. It took me from trying to hustle these basketball photos to creating physical work. The market for the pictures was rough because of the pandemic so I had to find a way to pivot and stay afloat.
Some people may not know but You lived in the Bay Area area for a bit. Being there for a long time to move back to your hometown do you see any differences in how these two opposite cities move or create?
Griffin: When I left Cali I went to Chicago and worked in the streetwear scene and that helped give me a platform for my art as well. Chicago moves way differently. People in Chicago get it by any means necessary. If they want it, they will take it. You have to move at a fast pace and grind. It's just a different mindset. West Coast so laid back and chilled, in Chicago there is always a sense of urgency. It's kind of tough to truly compare because when I was around the Bay, I wasn’t tapped into the art scene, I was still selling vintage and clothes so my perspective may be skewed. There are so many beautiful things in the bay but Chicago right now is the creative hub and really controls a lot of what influences the world.
Some of the new followers may not know your past history of the creation of @10thandpeople, Could you explain to the readers the story about that?
Griffin: That all started from just combining my passion for basketball and photography together. I always liked street photography better than editorial or any “posed” photos. And one day it just clicked, like take the camera to the park with you and document the culture. I had a lot of the dudes respect from just how I played basketball so it wasn’t weird when I asked to take pictures. Once I got the blessing form the OG Tim, it was all love. And then when I would post or show people the pictures, everyone would go crazy and try and show out to make the page. It just brought a lot of joy and togetherness. I miss that energy everyday.
Source : @10thandpeople Photo by Griffin Gher
Obviously because of you moving you couldn't continue to keep shooting at that park. Do you see yourself ever going back to get more photos or is this something that can’t be recreated.
Griffin: Of course. I went back last September and was only able to spend a day at the park but it was great to see everyone again. It was like nothing changed, it was beautiful. There are so many stories to be told there. And especially in times like now with so much racial injustices and ugly in the world. You would have old white dudes who work at the Capitol building hooping with gang members. It's just a beautiful juxtaposition. There is a common bond, get buckets! Basketball brings everyone together.
Source : @10thandpeople Photo by Griffin Gher
Currently you have released a bunch of pieces ever since you moved back. And it seems to be doing very well. How does it feel to know that you have that support with your art especially when artists themselves doubt their art and feel like no one will support them in this day in age?
Griffin: Man, it is truly a blessing. I have had a good run, the majority of what I put up for sale, sells out. I doubt myself before, during, and after every drop! But the main thing is, who cares if you sell one or one hundred. As long as you truly enjoy the process and creating, that’s all that matters. Obviously, we all got to pay bills, but trying to chase a check compromises the creations. I have sold/resold other people's products for almost 13 years of my life, so to take the jump to bet on myself, and hustle my own products and move, is a feeling I cannot explain.
Along with your success, how was it to work with sentrock? I know you just released some cement sentrocks. Can we possibly see any more collabs from you guys?
Griffin: To be honest, Sentrock changed my life. I was going through a rough patch in personal life and was unhappy with working in the store, my mind/heart wasn’t in streetwear anymore. Sentrock and I were already cool, but I approached him about doing some art installations throughout the city. We were going to just put up hoops, he would paint and I could shoot the pics and just leave it for the public to use. That turned into him wanting to paint on some of the photos, which grew into us doing a show together. That is where the mini crate idea was created. We did 5 or 6 collab pieces, and then I had my photos, we did a tee, just a lot. It was a huge success and sold out. That sparked the flame to really go after this art world. It was mainly for photo projects but he opened my eyes to a whole different world. And obviously him being at the level he is and continuing to only grow is inspiring and great to be a part of.
Do you see yourself maybe going into another direction with your art? Are there any ideas that you haven’t got to or anything that you would want to do in the future?
Griffin: Right now, I am just trying to refine everything I do. I would love to keep doing these basketballs and pushing this theme. I am hoping to have a gallery one of these days but with the pandemic and restrictions, I don’t want to force people outside and will wait for a better time. I have been messing with other mediums, will continue to expand my horizons and see where it leads me honestly. No real game plan.
What's the endgame for griffin? What's the dream? Will this be something that you will continue to do in the future?
Griffin: The dream is to do this forever, but I have learned thru all my trial and errors, I have to be ready for the next thing whenever it may come. I have always been good at pivoting and reinventing myself. But I would love to be able to sell the items I love making.
Do you have any advice for any artist who is afraid or maybe doubting putting their art out there?
Griffin: Just put the shit out there! If you love it and are proud of it, go crazy! It is also good to get feedback from your peers. Make things for yourself, not others.
Any last words for the readers?
Griffin: Stay safe! Wear a mask, wash your ass! Check up on your friends & family!
Thank you Rene!
Big ups to Griffin.
If you are interested in purchasing any of his products the link to his website is below.
https://www.griffingher.com/