CV/Bio
Giovanni (John) Gelardi, Artist
(b. July 10, 1965 / Trapani, Sicily)
John arrived late to the art world but has made significant progress in a short amount of time. For the most part he is self taught. As a child he was fascinated by the works and genius of Da Vinci and greatly influenced by Van Gogh's life and paintings. John has read an endless amount of art-history books, art magazines and visited numerous art galleries and museums. As a result he is familiar with art from ancient times to the present. Through his observations John has learned that, as an artist, he should connect with the viewer; whether that connection is humorous or serious.
John creates assemblage art and that art might be considered the next generation of works akin to the Joseph Cornell boxes. Where they differ, however, is probably in the artist's message. Cornell's works were personal and introspective while John's works are broader in nature. Many of the assemblages show John's dark, political outlook of the world at large. In his other creations John covers a wide range of subjects including love, religion, astronomy, science, historical events and social problems.
The workmanship of John's boxes is meticulous and at times disturbing. Before the box doors are opened one feels calm and serene. When opened, the viewer is almost assaulted by an endless array of two and three dimensional objects that bring the box alive and give the viewer a possible look into the artist's mysterious psyche. John's ultimate goal, however, is to share his feelings and his thoughts with the viewer (whether those thoughts are happy or sad); or, at the very least, convey a sense of beauty, mystery and fantasy.
GIOVANNI (JOHN) GELARDI
Education: Life
Queens College University, Queens, NY
Selected Solo Exhibitions:
2019 "For The World To See IV" Figment 2019. Roosevelt Island, NY
2018 "For The World To See III" Figment 2018. New York, NY
2017 "For The World To See II" Figment 2017. New York, NY
2016 "For The World To See I" Figment 2016. New York. NY
Selected Jury Exhibitions:
2023 "22nd Annual Jury Exhibition" Bayside Historical Society, NY
2022 "21st Annual Jury Exhibition" Bayside Historical Society, NY
2021 "20th Annual Jury Exhibition" Bayside Historical Society, NY
2021 " 108th Annual Jury" Allied Artists of America. Salmagundi Art Club, NY
2020 "19th Annual Jury Exhibition" Bayside Historical Society, NY
2019 "18th Annual Jury Exhibition" Bayside Historical Society, NY
2016 "86th Annual Jury Exhibition" National Art League, New York, NY
2015 "85th Annual Jury Exhibition" National Art League, New York, NY
2014 "84th Annual Jury Exhibition" National Art League, New York, NY
2013 "83rd Annual Jury Exhibition" National Art League, New York, NY
2012 " International Fine Art Competition". Agora Gallery, New York, NY
2012 " Art Takes Times Square". Artists Wanted 3RD Ward, NY, NY
2010 " 28th Annual Jury Exhibition". Pleiades Gallery, New York, NY
2009 "Games People Play", East End Art Council Gallery, Riverhead, NY
2008 "The Creative Process", East End Art Council Gallery, Riverhead, NY
Selected Group Exhibitions:
2016 182 Gallery New York, NY
2010 "5th Outsider Art", Galerie Bel Age Gallery, W. Hampton Beach, NY
2008 "Soul to Soul", MicroCosm Gallery, New York, NY
2008 "3RD Outsider Art", Galerie Bel Age Gallery, W. Hampton Beach, NY
2008 "Grey Gardens", The Gallery, Sag Harbor, NY
2007 "Original Face", MicroCosm Gallery, New York, NY
2007 "Nothing is Black + White", Art Sites Gallery, Riverhead, NY
Selected Publication:
2010 " Across Cultures". A Reader for Writers. Eighth Edition
2009 "Letters of Little Edie Beale". Grey Gardens and Beyond
Selected Installations:
2015 " 12 Celestial Angels". Figment 2015, New York, NY
2015 " Love with Butterflies". Figment 2015, New York, NY
2014 " 12 Celestial Apostles". Figment 2014, New York, NY
2013 " Love is the Answer". Figment 2013, New York, NY
2013 " A Tribute to Our Veterans". McCarren Park, Brooklyn, NY
2012 " A Tribute to September 11, 2001". McCarren Park, Brooklyn, NY
2012 "Fourth of July Tribute". Fifty Star Flag. McCarren Park, Brooklyn, NY
2012 " Multiple Dimensions of Love". Figment 2012, New York, NY
Private Collection:
Alex Grey Cosm Art Sanctuary, Wappingers Falls, NY