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| BIOGRAPHY |
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Harold Shipley was born in Newark, New Jersey in 1971. His Mother named him Harold after his Grandfather. Of Muslim faith, in 1990, he took his Shahada to become Kaseem, but the “hood” will always call him “GP”, Getto Pecasso.
At age 5, his Mother and three siblings relocated to Staten Island, New York. Seeing little opportunity for advancement the family once again relocated and settled in Hartford, Connecticut. Like many children, Harold first became interested in drawing in his early elementary school years but his Mother realized that he was quickly developing in skill. By age 8, he was drawing fairly decent realism portraits and by the 6th grade he’d sold his first drawing in charcoal.
His muses at times were often friends and family members. The elation of his first sale was quickly overshadowed by family situations. His family was poor or his Mother would say “financially challenged”. Though she tried to nurture his artistic ability, it became too painful for him to bear the family going without basic needs to buy his art supplies. So as like many young men in the “hood”, he took to the streets of Hartford, CT and beyond. These years are too difficult to mention, but in short, the end result was prison.
The hustling in the streets afforded him the experiences of many things, such as the many different cultures and landscapes of assorted countries. Artists that have influenced “GP” are Pino, John Sargent, Pablo Picasso, Crosby, Rembrandt and Basquiat. Though he does not liken his work to the above mentioned, their work to him is of great importance to how he perceives color vs. content. Fauvism and limited brush strokes accompanied by bold contrast to convey the image as well as social commentary is a staple in his art.
As far as his time incarcerated, it has given him time to reflect and hone his skills and abilities but most of all the time to express himself. There is an indescribable pleasure in knowing where you’ve been and where with time and growth, you’re going. His fondest hope is that you experience some if not all of his vision in his paintings.
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