Who are you and what do you do?
Gabriel Corti, a Farmingdale University student, likes to paint murals. Considers himself a muralist not a street artist. His tag is AWEZ.
Why do you do what you do?
Heâs always been fascinated with lettering. Heâd be in history class doodling an âAâ or âLâ and liking it, but not knowing why he was always drawn to it. Becoming a graphic design major helped develop his interest in lettering and typography. He was into lettering, and then that progressed to developing an interest in recreating the human body. He includes letters and human figures in his pieces.
How did you start making art and why?
As a senior in high school he actually got into making art, driven by his lettering fascination.
Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?
Many of the French Renaissance masters, and Caravaggio, Vermeer, and  Michelangelo. The lettering and feel of his murals are influenced by Zeso, Bacon, Meres, and Zimer. Gabe has a semi-âwild styleâ and NY âwork styleâ.
What themes do you pursue?
He doesnât like to paint the same thing overâusually his pieces are based on whatever inspires him at the time.
How do you know when a work is finished?
âI Donât. It just feels rightâ For him, itâs more of a visual feeling. Heâll start with sketches to plan the placement, size, scale of a piece, but it never looks the same when finished from the sketch. The sketch is often just a reference or starting point and he goes from there.
What is the most important tool? Is there something you cant live without?
Spray paint cap. Favorite caps: Pink dot fat cap and MTN94 stock (cap that comes standard on most cans).
What role do you think graffiti has in society?
Graffiti has become more interesting and approachable. August Martin High School allowed him to paint there. The art form has certainly been seen as a more negative thing but is slowly becoming more acceptable. Graffiti is public art and society has loved public art over the years. People like seeing lettering, character, and spray paint.
How do you think street art differs from gallery art besides the obvious location difference?
Gallery art has an exclusivity to it but street art is for everybody. If itâs on the street anyone can see it and come to take photos.
How do you choose the subject that you plan to paint?
Heâll find it interesting and feel as though thereâs something right about it. He says that he can go through 100s of photos on google, but one can just hit him and heâll just knowâitâll click. âWhy do I choose what to be done? Cause Iâve never seen it done. If it has been done then Iâll do it in a totally unique way.â
How do you feel about people who are against street art?
They are closed minded and unwilling to accept change. However, Gabe doesnât like gang tags or  needlessly offensive graffiti. Heâs supportive if appropriate for location and public.
What is one thing you hope people will takeaway from viewing your art?
âMy name is AWEZ. Itâs because my work leaves people in shock and awe. Hope it changes their mind on what you can do with a spray can.â
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Gabe likes knowing people on instagram find his work and tag him. Check him out, and find more from him at awezart.com.
All work is freehand. No projectors, no stencils. All spray paint.
Photography and profile compiled by Alexis Spinelle.
An AWEZ-ome write up on a great local muralist! Check it out. Who are you and what do you do? Gabriel Corti, a Farmingdale University student, likes to paint murals.
