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Donald GialanellaDonald GialanellaDonald Gialanella
Donald Gialanella
Saint Petersburg, FL
"The whole is greater than the sum of its parts."
Donald Gialanella originally from Maplewood, NJ, now works out of his studio in St. Petersburg, Florida. Donald apprenticed with sculptor Louise Bourgeois after earning a BFA from The Cooper Union in New York City. He worked as a graphics producer at ABC-TV in New York in the 1980’s and received an Emmy for his work on Monday Night Football in 1990. The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg commissioned Donald to create a 17 foot long steel mustache sculpture for the permanent collection in 2016.Wescover creator since 2018
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Street Art
Kingman, AZ
Dali Museum
Saint Petersburg, FL
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Napa, CA
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Lakeland, FL
More About This Creator
Q&A
What is your favorite material to work with?
"I primarily work in metal, but have done many assemblage sculptures that incorporate other nonmetallic objects as the basic building material. For example, I was commissioned by the Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, to create a life size cow made completely out of children’s toys.
A toy drive was held to gather hundreds of toys needed for building the assemblage cow. The drive yielded seven very large boxes of toys that ranged from matchbox cars, dolls and action figures, to transformers, Legos, animals and Sponge Bobs.
I am always on the lookout for materials wherever I go. It’s a bit of an obsession. House sales, garbage cans, the side of the road, flea markets, auctions, auto repair shops and scrap yards are all places where I find interesting objects. Sometimes I buy things in bulk - a gross of spoons or bicycle forks."
A toy drive was held to gather hundreds of toys needed for building the assemblage cow. The drive yielded seven very large boxes of toys that ranged from matchbox cars, dolls and action figures, to transformers, Legos, animals and Sponge Bobs.
I am always on the lookout for materials wherever I go. It’s a bit of an obsession. House sales, garbage cans, the side of the road, flea markets, auctions, auto repair shops and scrap yards are all places where I find interesting objects. Sometimes I buy things in bulk - a gross of spoons or bicycle forks."
Donald GialanellaQ&A
What do you want people to do or feel when they encounter your creations?
"Ideally, I would like my art to resonate with a wide audience and produce that “wow” moment upon seeing it.
I have a sincere desire to make a positive contribution and connect with viewers who will benefit from the beauty and wonder of a unique visual statement. I am constantly striving to create art that appeals to the human mind and spirit, and to the persistence of a singular artistic vision."
I have a sincere desire to make a positive contribution and connect with viewers who will benefit from the beauty and wonder of a unique visual statement. I am constantly striving to create art that appeals to the human mind and spirit, and to the persistence of a singular artistic vision."
Donald GialanellaQ&A
What motivates and inspires you?
"Throughout the history of modern sculpture, the innovators have always driven the art form to evolve. From Duchamp and Picasso with their found object “ready mades”, to Di Suvero and Koons with their fearless groundbreaking originality, the cutting edge of sculpture has always been advanced by unique visionary artists.
I am motivated to make some small contribution to the medium by continuing to work on the shoulders of giants."
I am motivated to make some small contribution to the medium by continuing to work on the shoulders of giants."
Donald Gialanella