About
American artist The Mazeking 飛龍 (Gabriel Asoka) is known for creating colorful, bold, and provocative artworks. He officially began making art in 1998 and started painting, creating various works, ranging from oil on canvas to acrylic on paper. Asoka produces most artworks within a series, sometimes spending months, even years completing a single work or series. He has even destroyed artworks via an artistic burning-ritual which he has stated “is part of the process of creating and re-creating works”. In 2002, Asoka had his first solo exhibition in Los Angeles at the O’Melveny Gallery. His love of life, and passion for color and exploration springs forth in his works of art. All of his artworks are about Beauty, Balance (duality), and Energy; what Asoka calls the “three keys”. When asked about his subject matter “I make art about subjects and things that entice and fascinates and me, thats all”, “I’m interested in things that bring me happiness and I wish to share that happiness with others”. Inspired by everything from daily encounters to dreams and history. He explores various themes, including consciousness, sexuality, and the mystical or esoteric, offering us a richer and more engaging perspective. As seen in his “Consciousness” paintings, which explores concepts of balance and duality. Creating a sense of what Asoka calls the “double-bind”, which is a term he gained from his study of Zen as a teenager. Asoka utilizes colors, contrast and forms as symbols. They symbolically represent elements & aspects of nature and states of mind. Asoka places no labels or categories upon his work. He does not see art in classifications or categories, such as abstract or representational, stating “they are all abstract in a way and representational in another way”, “All art is one thing, a way to express, convey, and communicate ideas”. His work can be seen in private collections around the world. The Mazeking currently lives and works in New York City.
Education:
Columbia College – Masters of Art
University of Maryland – Bachelors of Art
Peabody Preparatory of Music – Theory & Composition