Gregory de la Haba
Artist
What do you make?
I make objects of virtue and vice.
Where else on the web can we find you?
I'll be moving into Jack The Pelican Presents gallery in about a week; will be the first 'artist-in-residence' there and contemplating putting a live video stream over the internet so people could watch 24/7 the artist at work; again I say contemplating. Other than that you can find me on Facebook; love that site; awesome place for artist; but like everything in life in takes fucking time!
What did you dream about last night?
Ah, me dreams are for me-self.
What inspires you?
I hate that question; What inspires you? The fuckin' sun! Working my ass off is what gets me going; you know; "perspiration not inspiration'.
Where do you live and what do you like about it?
I live in Queens, New York. Born and raised. Diversity is the spice of life and are there fucking spices in Queens! I can get whatever I want at any hour of the day in Queens (if you know where to go).
What is your biggest fear?
The only time I ever experienced fear was when my 4yr old son Matthew crawled under a clothing rack at the mall and I didn't see him doing it. That was fucking fear (with a little panic thrown in). The fear of loss over a child! What could scare you more?
Name a few of your favorite movies \ books \ websites \ bands:
I totally get lost in the music of Interpol; crank those boys up right before I get busy with a painting session. Then there's the voice of Antony (and the Johnsons) which is good for after I'm done painting; smoke a cigar and look at what sits on the easel before me.
I love getting the Paris Review or any literary journal;I love to read. Hemingway, the Russians, Dos Passos; dig em all! Something of mine will be published in the Southampton Review next month; one of my letters and a portfolio of old charcoal drawings I did of McSorley's Old Ale House; the issue is being dedicated to Frank McCourt and will have an Irish theme running threw it; Frank and his brother Malachy always used to drink at the venerable ale house on E. 7th street.
What is your favourite thing to eat?
If its bad for you or the enviorment or if an animal is bred and killed inhumanely for the making of it I more than likely love to eat it; payback is a bitch and I'll probably suffer from gout because of it!
How would you like to be remembered?
I'm too young to answer that one!
What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you?
When I was 17 (and filled with that angry teenage testoserone) some guido in Whitestone Queens cut me off in his Monte Carlo, a few words were exchanged and so I proceeded to get out of my car to kick his fucking ass; as I'm walking over to him he starts laughing his head off and points behind me; I forgot to put my car in 'park' and it started rolling down the fucking street! I learned two things that day: 1. Dont be an ass and 2., always put the car in fucking 'park' when getting out.
Final thoughts:
I invite everyone to the new and improved Jack The Pelican Presents Gallery in Williamsburg, located on Driggs avenue between n.9th and 10th streets. The proprietor Don Caroll will be holding more shows, hosting 'artists talks', inviting guest curators to speak, special cocktail evenings, film screenings and even staging a few plays come the Fall. The gallery will be open more and have later hours for people to stop by, enjoy a drink and experience some of the best culture New York City has to offer. It promises to be a mecca for some of the most intriguing and brightest creative minds of our time.