Check Out Gary Lockwood (freehand Profit)’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gary Lockwood (freehand Profit)

Hi Gary Lockwood, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I moved to LA from Northern Virgina in 2006, and have lived and worked all over the city since then. In 2010 I was working at a print shop called Imprint Revolution and started a year long daily project called MASK365. During that year I explored the use of various materials and techniques, this led me to create the first sneaker gas mask. When MASK365 came to an end it was clear to me that the sneaker masks would be my next body of work. Since 2010 I’ve made more than 200 one of a kind masks from highly coveted sneakers.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been an easy path, but it’s one I choose every day. Art is not a necessity like food or utilities, it doesn’t serve a utilitarian function so it’s usefulness is less obvious. All of that means when times are tough, the art budget is usually the first thing to be cut. Other struggles are self-inflicted or self-focused (like mental health regulation or financial missteps), some increase in difficulty over the years (like navigating algorithms to maintain a connection to my audience), others hit hard and fast (like a sickness or death in the family). One thing the journey has taught me is that struggle and suffering is inevitable but avoidance of them only amplifies their discomfort. And that the best way to survive the floods and the droughts is to ride the waves, follow the water.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
For the last 14 years I’ve been best known for creating one of a kind masks, often gas masks, from highly coveted sneakers. Through these masks I examine issues of identity and materialism. The masks reflect a balance of the celebratory aspects of our humanity & culture with the awareness that we are a world at war, plagued by injustice, oppression and environmental destruction.

Masks as a focus have allowed me to explore a wide variety of ideas and stories, from the conservation of endangered species to processing grief and difficult emotions. Masks give us the ability to both conceal our identity and show our true selves. They are fashion, they are symbolic, they protect and fascinate.

The process of dissecting, twisting and transforming sneakers was inspired by Hip-Hop; how DJs and producers scratch and sample records, the way graffiti artists twist alphabets, the B-boy spins and the stories eMCees told. My work combines my skillsets across multiple mediums through sculpture, photography, design, painting, illustration and more. The art has been featured in global and local campaigns for brands like Nike, adidas, Puma, and Cadillac, with collectors around the world like Kevin Durant, Everlast & PJ Tucker. In 2022 my work was featured in a solo exhibition called “Face Value” at SCAD’s Fashion Museum in Atlanta, GA.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success can be elusive and flighty unless we work to keep it grounded. By that I mean we must constantly reevaluate if our compass is pointing to what’s right and good for us versus what we are conditioned to consider “successful”. More simply put, for me success is that I’ve been able to provide for my family through my creativity and hard work.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://freehandprofit.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/freehandprofit
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MASK365
• Twitter: https://x.com/freehandprofit
• Other: https://freehandprofit.store

Image Credits
Cuban Link Mask modeled by: @steezusshuttlesworth

Olympic Jordan 7 Mask modeled by: @the_nolanrockwell