Pepe Gaka

My motto is: "The simplest is not always the best, yet the best is always simple." For the last thirteen years, I travelled and worked in Europe, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Pakistan, New Zealand, the U.S.A. and Canada. After working mainly on commission and painting on canvases, in the last seven years, I have been focusing on mural Art and pavement Art, while still working on private commissions when the occasion arise. What I look when I create a public mural, is for it to have a sense of balance, to give the impression that it belongs there. Technique is needed to express an idea, I strongly believe. The research of lightness and the possibilities of multiple layers are currently my focus, blending my traditional Art background, and my Japanese Art interest, especially Ukiyo-e, with a more contemporary style. My final goal is always to create something pleasant to the eye. I want the design to be simple, but technically amazing; modern, but with a clear message. In addition, I tend to prefer designs that can be understood by most of the passersby. I personally don’t appreciate public murals or public Art that needs to be explained by a plaque. In my opinion, it means it somehow failed. My murals can be found in Italy, UK, Philippines, Japan, Pakistan, U.S.A., Canada, New Zealand and Australia. I come from a family of artists, with an uncle and grandfather being professional painters, a sister who is a violin player and my father used to teach piano. Italian, born in 1985, I spend my time between Arkansas, the Philippines, where I teach art to orphans with Cerebral Palsy, Italy, and wherever art projects and commissions bring me.