PBN Manufacturing Awards 2024
EMERGING MANUFACTURER: Hungry Ghost Press LLC
WHEN BUDDHIST IDEOLOGIES are mixed with art and apparel, a unique brand in the form of Hungry Ghost Press LLC is introduced to the Rhode Island scene.
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The Providence-based company was launched by Christopher Morrison Blackwell in 2016 originally as a ’zine and do-it-yourself art book press. Since then, the company, which occupies 3,000 square feet inside Atlantic Mills in the city’s Olneyville section and has produced screen-printed apparel, flat-stock goods such as posters and prints, and has an upcycled clothing collection, has witnessed steady growth.
Blackwell also says Hungry Ghost sees strong interest in one-of-a-kind pieces such as the company’s hand-sewn jackets revived and rescued from the landfill, expired military gear and construction wear.
“These items not only showcase the artistry behind them but also reflect the in-house manufacturing process we’re proud of,” Blackwell said.
Blackwell says he came up with the moniker “Hungry Ghost” while studying at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics at Naropa University, a Buddhist-inspired university in Boulder, Colo.
Blackwell says he became interested in the theoretical idea of Samsara and Yama holding the Wheel of Life, as celebrated and observed in some Tibetan and other schools of Buddhism. In the Wheel, he says, there is a place of life called the “Hungry Ghosts’ Realm” – individuals are often depicted as having an extended belly, eternally hungry and wanting, where their necks reach further and further towards the sky, wrapping into knots as their food and desires rain down upon them.
“I kind of became obsessed with the idea of ‘eternal want’ and wrote a few pieces of brief and academic-esque papers, as well as loads of prose and books of poetry that were self-published and made by hand,” Blackwell said.
Blackwell continued to create art and books of prose and poetry using the moniker “Hungry Ghost Press,” eventually leading to launching his company with that same name. He also moved from Boston to Rhode Island’s capital city because Providence “always had a killer and vibrant arts community” and he wanted to be part of that creative energy.
“[The move] gave us the opportunity to expand, work more closely with local artisans, and become a part of a community of individuals that values art and innovation,” Blackwell said. “The city’s strong history in manufacturing and its supportive environment for small businesses were also key factors in making Providence our home.”
Collaboration is al o at the heart of Hungry Ghost Press. Blackwell says the company’s collaborations with artists, bands and small businesses have helped expand its reach and build meaningful partnerships. Hungry Ghost Press has worked with several prominent entities, including Pabst Blue Ribbon, Topo Chico, Grillo’s Pickles, World Wrestling Entertainment, the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Foundation, Dine Alone Records, several breweries, dozens of independent labels and bands as well.
“These partnerships have allowed us to explore new techniques and push the boundaries of what we can create,” he said.
Hungry Ghost Press, Blackwell says, expanded its vision, as the company has grown over time, including bringing nearly all of its manufacturing in-house. This, he says, allows Hungry Ghost Press to train and employ skilled artisans, empowering them to specialize in areas such as screen printing, sewing, 3D sculpture, candle and waxwork, metal and jewelry working, and other production elements.
“Our vision has always been to create high-quality, artist-driven products while fostering sustainability and creativity,” Blackwell said. “Our commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly practices remains core to what we do.”
Moving forward, the company seeks to further expand and grow its in-house manufacturing capacity even further, Blackwell says. He said Hungry Ghost Press would love to create more jobs and provide even more opportunities for people to learn trades such as screen printing, sewing, design, illustration and sustainable fashion production.
“Our goal is to become a hub for creativity, collaboration and eco-friendly manufacturing, all while staying rooted in the community that’s supported us from the beginning,” Blackwell said.
