Gabriel Eng-Goetz
If you call Durham ‘Durm’ it’s because of Gabriel Eng-Goetz, badass muralist and owner of RUNAWAY, a clothing brand that sums up the city’s cool kids vibe. You can find his murals all over downtown Durham and the Triangle. You’ll know it’s one of Gabe’s murals when you see bold colors, captivating images and intense energy. We caught up with the artist:
Does size matter in art?
100%. Humans are suckers for spectacle. However, as we dive further into the conceptual nature of art we realize that it matters less and less.
What common goals do you wish to accomplish when painting a mural?
The more public-facing the piece is, the more it should represent and speak for the community. Public engagement and research is equally as important as the final painted piece. Diving deep into the history of a space provides context from which to create. I find this to be an incredibly interesting and rewarding process, especially when you uncover a story that isn't often told. These stories are often buried beneath antiquated social constructs and I strive to uncover and channel these marginalized voices through my art.
What is beauty?
That's a tough one... beauty is so subjective and 'beauty standards' are often dictated by our environment. When breaking it down to its source, I find the most beautiful things are purely natural, we're all just apes with tools at the end of the day.
Where do you runaway for peace and balance?
Outdoors, often on the water. I'm an avid naturalist and find the most peace when alone with nature.
What’s your vice?
Fried foods, can't get enough. But when it comes to work, I'd say consistency or lack thereof. The world often wants to know you for one 'thing' and I find this to be especially true with art. Do one thing well, repeat. I'm very curious at heart and enjoy exploring outside of my comfort zone. This is probably to my detriment if I ever want to be a household name in the art world... but fuck it.
Can we buy your art?
Depends on your definition of art, but the short answer is YES! I offer clothing, prints and other goods through my company RUNAWAY, and I will be selling more original 1/1 works of art directly to collectors and through galleries soon. Just need more time to create... don't we all?