Working across both 2D and 3D mediums, Melbourne based Gabriel Cole works from his main inspiration and introduction to Art, music. With a background in Paralympics, this artist’s trajectory is unusual or rather, rare for a creative. His work references graphic styles he finds in music, fashion and culture creating colourful designs that resemble a graffiti-like style almost always featuring his staple flower. He has collaborated with fashion brands like Nike, Bichon Pockets, Florist New York and more, adding an interesting, colourful and free spirited edge to their creations.

He says talent doesn’t come naturally to him but this would be hard to tell looking at his impressive portfolio. Implementing accidental imperfection by working with what he’s got and striving for balance provides Gabriel’s work with an alluring raw finish that bestows a meditative viewing experience. His art is the perfect definition of, 'a balance in chaos'.

Hi Gabriel! Could you introduce yourself for those who aren’t as familiar with you or your work?

My name is Gabriel Cole, I’m 28 years old and I live in Melbourne, Australia. I’m interested in natural abstractions and folds, I explore this by relating it back to a graphic style that has ties to music, sign writing, design, fashion and all the surrounding cultural norms. My practice is both 2D and 3D, I like to consider how this can cross reference back to design products and things that can be worn or heard.

You have a background in sports, being a Paralympic athlete; it’s quite a contrast from being an artist. How did you fall into making art? Was it something you were always into?

Running came first, sport was the only thing I was aware I was good at so I pursued it across a couple different ways. From it, I was given confidence internally to question what things I am actually interested in. From my perspective, I was never encouraged to seek art or creative endeavours until now, so I found art through music, which has always been my main inspiration.

What does your creative process look like?
I research and consider what I am interested in and then I just write the research which isn’t specific, it’s more like looking for references and then considering how to compose new works and what this will entail. I then consider music as the overall movement to find a balance for the works from and then I just try make stuff. I’m definitely not naturally talented, most of it is shit but once I repeat something enough in a training sense and explore possibilities of something super similar, generally I find a result or now I'm learning to just work with what I have, instead of making it perfect or work considering what doesn’t work should be what I use and then thus trying to find the balance.

A lot of your work features a staple flower like image, what’s the significance of this?
It’s a consideration of a branding element, something to tie it all together but also reference toward pattern and decorative arts; I wasn’t raised around the appreciation of arts but my house was full of beautiful antiques which later I can see is why I am interested in these visual motifs and patterns.

You’ve worked on designs with fashion brands like Bichon Pockets and Florist New York; does the creative process differ when it comes to collaborations?

Absolutely for me design is about solving a problem and art is about creating a problem. Working with these brands along with others, I just consider how to still make something creatively and hands on but for a different purpose and to work with someone else’s vision, thus considering an overall grand scheme.

What are you currently working on?
I’ve been working on a show which I was meant to show at Passport Gallery in April called, “Castles Made of Sand” featuring mostly sculptural works that are referenced from abstractions that occur at the beach. A bunch of merch collaborations and always working with friends’ brands and some art consultancy.

What does the future look like for you and your art?
Hard to say right now with everything on hold, I don’t really think too far forward now which is the opposite from when I was an athlete. The only thing that really matters is that I keep progressing, keep making shows and I would love to do some work overseas. I also want to re-push my own merch ideas again and consider music away from a DJ context, maybe try make something that aligns to my creative practice.