Meet Gerjuan Harmon of Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gerjuan Harmon

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, firstly I don’t subscribe to the belief I’ve actually “arrived” any-fuckin’-where yet. I’ve reached for so long for so many objectives (some of those unhealthy or not conducive to growth), and came up with sweaty palms as a reward so many times –that now I’m forever reluctant to celebrate even minor victories. I mean, idk if that answers your question? I guess if I had to sum it all, it would be: Born in Detroit, raised on the Eastside of South Central L.A., moved to Burbank, and grew up in Jail! Lol. But that kinda cheats the nourishment of a fuller narrative, right? Uh, my mom came up dead when I was three, my father immediately got ghost; my mother’s mom took me in and gave me her best. Then of course there’s the normalities of the inner-city (i.e., gang culture, violence etc.) which has a whole nother effect on molding the mind. The move to Burbank came with it’s own peculiar set of culture shock. Sounds odd, but dare I say that my Gift stems from fact that for the greater portion of my life I wasn’t necessarily emotionally intelligent or equipped to deal with the trauma of those earlier years (let alone identify the experiences, that I thought was regular, as trauma). That lack of ‘tools’ per se, is what has luckily transformed me into a Genius. Haha. But truthfully, it cannot be understated that with every uncertainty of the outside world, I was all I had. To clarify, I would be in a constant fluid state between introversion, reclusiveness, or depression, to wildly outgoing, daring, unreasonably optimistic about whatever was in front of me or in my way! Through it all I kept a good heart and STAYED CURIOUS. About Life so far, about the shit I didn’t have, about what would happen if I stayed around. I channeled that curiosity through art. And learning incessantly, lured at random. Then I got an email from you!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Smooth roads are bad for the soul! For real tho, just think for a second: Ever drive a long ass section of the freeway thats all perfect and shit?! There’s no vibration of the steering wheel, tires are fallen asleep! You’re kinda lulled into this state of complacency. It’s Dangerous! To bring it back to the question, NO, definitely not smooth. And THAT’S why I’m here. I was never afforded that ill-timed luxury during my life navigation. I had to stay awake because of the bumps in the road. … I spoke on some of the struggles in the last portion, so I ain’t gonna make this a sad song lol. There were many. Just know that. We all have our shit handed to us along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I don’t know if I specialize in much of anything. Especially with my artwork. I do have a way with color (so I’ve been told). But if you ask me, I’d say that a most consistent trait in my work would be social commentary. Because even in black & white I tend to have something to say. A criticism , a question. I am a bit of an iconoclast. Not even intentionally, but rather just because I’m a product of system failure. I like to say that I’m “a blemish on the face of society”. And without a doubt, it is the foremost OBLIGATION of an artist to PROVOKE! Mind you, that doesn’t have to be in a negative connotation. But seriously, if I am not making you think for the little 5-12 seconds my art holds an attention span, what am I doing?? That being said, my works aim to to pique you to some type of action. Whether that’s something simple as causing one to question the credibility of my perspective, or something complex as causing you to write a poem or song inspired by my work, to further the dialogue (both have happened). I can’t say that I have a preferred medium, or a go-to. I love to paint in acrylic: ranging from 30′ murals, to smaller 36″ Canvas Boards. But I equally love to write the occasional spoken-word piece, or dive into audio-production, or some Adobe Creative digital content. Now that I’m a Cinematography student at NYFA (Los Angeles/Burbank campus), lately my focus (pun intended) has been pretty much solely that. … I am most proud of the mural work I did while in prison. And that’s largely because of the o.g.’s (many Lifers) who I shared that space and moments with, the effect that the work had on the collective morale of the population, and the perseverance that I displayed to complete them in less-than-ideal conditions.

What are your plans for the future?
I most look forward to incorporating my knowledge and skill set as a budding D.P./Cinematographer into my arsenal of storytelling. Let’s see what I can do when my love for still colorful imagery marries the timeless craft of big-screen manipulation!

Pricing:

• Most works are largely in the hands of private Collectors.
• About 12 acrylic paintings of various sizes are available. Prices start at $1200 USD. (DM/Email for description & availability)
• ONLY **7** original high-resolution commercial-quality prints of “7 Letter’d gurlz”, 24″ x 40″, are available;

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gerjuan.com
• Instagram: @crushederasers
• Twitter: @crushederasers
• Youtube: @crushederasers

Image Credits
Photo credits: Gerjuan D. Harmon. All artwork and (or) photography stills are the sole creation and intellectual property of the artist/interviewee. Digital artwork created by Gerjuan featuring the Vans logo and Givenchy logo are the Trademarks of their respective owners. All rights reserved