Born in Philadelphia, Richard Gabriele received an M.F.A from the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and a B.A. from Haverford College.  His paintings have been exhibited internationally and in numerous museums and have been the subject of high reviews including an essay by eminent art historian Peter Selz (former curator of painting and sculpture at the Museum of Modern Art) comparing his work to 20th century masters such as Franz Marc, Morris Graves, Mark Rothko and Paul Klee.  Gabriele’s work has joined a number of public and private collections around the world, most notably the Royal Family of Ras Al Khaimah. 

His current paintings build upon traditional Eastern textile motifs and are inspired by the medallion patterns of antique carpets.  Traditionally, such designs have served as symbolic gardens, metaphors for Eden and Paradise.  Under Gabriele’s hand, the borders have become pathways of calligraphic brushwork that form a labyrinth of lines woven around the floral heart of each composition.  Like mandalas, the patterns are cosmic diagrams and, in a similar fashion, they draw the viewer in and transfix their gaze. From afar, the pieces look like actual carpets, their age and medium difficult to determine.  As the viewer approaches, they transform into intricate works of contemporary abstraction.