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Gialanella has developed a distinctive visual language that blends classical sensibility with contemporary abstraction. His sculptures, often life-sized or larger, explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of the human form, emphasizing gesture, texture, and negative space.
He has done over 30 monumental public commissions that can be found from California to New York in civic spaces, corporate collections, hospitals, and city streets, where his pieces serve as contemplative focal points.
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. He studied fine art at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City before advancing his craft through an apprenticeship with renown artist Louise Bourgeois. 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.Gialanella has developed a distinctive visual language that blends classical sensibility with contemporary abstraction. His sculptures, often life-sized or larger, explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of the human form, emphasizing gesture, texture, and negative space.
He has done over 30 monumental public commissions that can be found from California to New York in civic spaces, corporate collections, hospitals, and city streets, where his pieces serve as contemplative focal points.
Wescover creator since 2018
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Projects Portfolio
Stanford Children's Health | Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford
Palo Alto, CA
Street Art
Kingman, AZ
Dali Museum
Saint Petersburg, FL
Street Art
Napa, CA
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