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Al Giella
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Al Giella (1912-2003)
- Alfonso "Al" Giella was a multifaceted artist whose prolific body of work spanned drawings, paintings, assemblages, and collages. Born in 1912, in Paterson, New Jersey, to immigrant parents from Aiello del Sabato, Italy, Giella’s rich heritage fostered a profound imagination and creative spirit. His lineage included philosophers, politicians, priests, and poets, all of which influenced his artistic journey.
From a young age, Giella was captivated by art, visiting New York museums whenever he could. Once he found a job in Manhattan in 1931, he would visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art every Saturday, closely studying the Cezanne’s, Renaissance artists, and the antiquities. His first introduction to Bracque and Picasso was at the venerated Valentine Gallery on 57th street.
His career took various turns, including work in advertising, film animation, and a significant role in the denim industry during the 1970s. Despite these diverse professional experiences, his true passion remained in the realm of fine arts. Giella remained primarily self taught, though he did study painting independently with the noted California modernist, Sam Clayberger (1926-2018).
In 1955, Giella and his wife, Ruth, purchased a home in the Silverlake District of Los Angeles, designed by R.M. Schindler, a protégé of Frank Lloyd Wright. This modernist abode became a gathering place for architecture enthusiasts, reflecting the couple's commitment to design and creativity.
After retiring to Tucson, Arizona, in 1984, Giella fully immersed himself in his artistic pursuits, creating not only visual art but also writing poetry. Although he rarely sought public recognition, his work was featured in gallery shows in Tucson and at Catamount Arts in Vermont.
In 2002, following Ruth's passing, Giella moved to Canterbury Inn in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. There, he continued to draw and write poetry until his death in April 2003 at the age of 90. Alfonso Giella left behind a substantial legacy of artistic expression, encompassing a vast array of drawings, paintings, assemblages, collages, and several hundred poems.
We want to express our gratitude to Al’s daughter, Vicki Giella, for bringing his work and story to Lost Art Salon.
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