Gianna Tesone, Neuro-Expressionism Unveiled

Written by Abby Grace Cooper

Gianna Tesone, currently living in New York City, after three years in Minneapolis, is a luminous figure in abstract painting and multimedia artistry. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Drawing, Painting, and Printmaking from Point Loma Nazarene University, Gianna's academic journey evolved into a narrative that sparked her career. 

In the tapestry of her academic pursuit, Tesone interwove the strands of art and science, securing grants and projects that served as the prelude to her  journey within the creative domain. 

The artist transcends conventional boundaries, immersing herself in a rich tapestry of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary endeavors. While her forte lies in fine arts, her creations have graced galleries, museums, and city art events.  

Beyond the confines of traditional exhibitions, Gianna's artistic alchemy extends to networking galas, workshops, involvement in non-profit fundraising initiatives, youth educational programs, and interdisciplinary collaborative projects. 

Guided by the tension inherent in juxtaposition, her art boldly dissects the evolving patterns of human behavior, delving into the intricacies of perception, and exploring the cause-and-effect dynamics of primal human nature and ___, versus the higher ways of being and creative faculties. It serves as a convergence point for design, color psychology, neuroscience, physiology, and integrated wellness, creating a multi-hyphenate perspective.  

This unique approach transforms the artwork into a storytelling medium, establishing its own genre by blending abstract expression with behavioral neuroscience—coined as "Neuro-Expressionism". 

Gianna's recent work reflects a renaissance of reconnection, merging past and present influences. This exploration focuses on understanding the human relationship with the self and delves into the awareness of "visceral" impressions—a multi-sensory experience, examining how the role of emotions, the subconscious, and conscious mind impact, as well as manifest, within the body over time. 

Through a combination of color, deeply layered textures, and a connection to personal experiences and research, Tesone’s art embodies the intricate link between the visible and the unseen realms. 

Artistry has consistently been a significant and intrinsic aspect of who this young artist is. It has shaped her lifestyle, perspective, and overall existence. This creative essence resides deep within her, permeating various facets of her life.  

Despite her ability to enjoy and be involved in an array of sports growing up, she pursued track in and through college.  

“I was injured half of my career. That was the unfortunate side of it. However, it was a beautiful dynamic. I studied art and then I ran track. I was feeding these two very important sides of myself.,” she says. 

Always having seen herself as that multi-hyphenate, multidisciplinary, how she makes art influences how she moves and takes care of her body.  

“I'm blessed that I was given that platform to do what I love and makes me who I am. How I trained-- how I take care of my body now-- also influences the way that I make work. It’s a powerful, symbiotic relationship,” says Tesone. 

Marking a shift in trajectory, this crucial juncture (being injured) in Gianna's track career became a defining moment in her artistic journey. It compelled her to decelerate and truly connect with herself, fostering a profound period of self-discovery. 

"In a way, I was using athletics and reliance on my physical abilities to mask and to hide some things. When you're forced to slow down, you must face what surfaces. I was humbled gracefully, which then gave me greater permission to dive deeper into my work and understand pain in the body, caused by mental weakness and deficiencies,” she says. 

Post her college years, a separate accident occurred resulting in acute brain trauma, serving as a catalyst and benchmark for enormous personal growth. Motivated by this experience, she embarked on an in-depth exploration of the intricacies of the brain. Her fascination grew as she observed how her perception and emotions influenced her way of life. 

“A lot of renewal took place, shedding that old skin. I had to take a thorough inventory of myself, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I swept feelings and things under the rug and was then later forced to face that, which led me to this interesting rabbit hole of ‘neuro-expressionism’--trying to make sense of the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of the mind, body, and soul connection-- stamping that as a term of mine,” remarks the artist.  

Nurtured by art lessons throughout her upbringing, Gianna's love for the creative realm became a cherished and genuinely enjoyable part of her life. Throughout her college journey, this connection remained intentionally experimental, shaping her artistic exploration. 

“I had some classical training as far as figuration, learning all of the very fundamental, classical ways of art making. I'm grateful for that foundation that led me to understand how those basics work into abstraction. It's a beautiful way to express and experience,” she says. “It allows the conscious mind to let go and the subconscious to freely speak.” 

While art naturally involves a constant process of creation, reconstruction, and fluctuation, Gianna took a more dedicated approach to her artistic abilities. Transitioning into the period from 2020 to 2023, she leaned into cross-disciplinary work, which honors the rich history and is informed by the value of art that is enriched by dialogue of current affairs and future innovation. 

"Being so fascinated by human biology and anatomy, I wanted to bring in a bit more of that symbolism—the crossover between abstraction and figurative work," she states. 

Now, it is transitioning towards purely abstract work while still being influenced by the resonance of between the mind and body.  

This evolution “centers around a more matured nucleus with the essence of the work being the primary focus, without distraction of symbolism. Abstraction is about creating an experience that ushers in new ways of thinking. It stimulates the mind in ways that figurative work cannot,” according to Gianna.  

“It isn’t necessarily trial and error anymore. I have a clear direction of what I'm doing, guided by a certain thesis,” she adds.  

Over the past year, this emerging artist has had the opportunity to engage in freelance work, collaborations, and international projects while traveling across the country. She mentions how her journey has allowed her to build valuable relationships, crediting many of her connections to the diverse locations that her life has fluidly guided her to. 

“It has really started by relationship and letting things happen organically. You meet someone and then get to know them and understand what they do and what they're a part of. I think that's how I've gotten clients, projects, and a handful of other opportunities,” she says.  

Gianna emphasizes that her collaboration with Nostalgia and Noise goes beyond a mere partnership.  

“It is deeply rooted in good things. It's fun; it's natural; it's organic. Those are the ways that I want to spend my time and invest my energy into. These types of collaborations will always last the longest and be the most meaningful. I want my involvement to be relationship based,” she reflects. 

Coming from a traditional art background, Tesone says, “The belief that the traditional gallery model is the primary lifeblood of an artist's career is outdated. It is unsustainable for artists--the living artists trying to make ends meet. We are going to start to see a lot more neo-galleries and neo-experiences like Nostalgia and Noise where there is this invigorating ecosystem of creativity. I think it's really going to kick something special off.” 

Inspired by Mark Rothko’s pursuit of color psychology and how he taps into the human interaction and perception of the sublime, Gianna aims to base her upcoming work around similar research.  

“This year, in addition to scheduled exhibitions and residencies, I would like to further my formal education to strengthen my artist practice. And who knows? Maybe I’ll let that morph into something bigger,” she explains. 

Aside from pursuing this deeper knowledge related to neuro-expressionism, Gianna has other goals moving forward. 

“I want to continue to make work that is true and honest to who I am, letting that serve wherever it needs to. I would love to provide mentorship, working with kids. That’s something I’m passionate about. I think if we are given a talent, we must find a way to give it back in a different form,” she says. 

Gianna Tesone stands as a beacon of inspiration in the ever-evolving realm of artistic expression. Her transformative journey serves as a testament to the boundless power embedded within the act of creating, transcending, and using the canvas to reflect the internal human experience.  

Gianna paints not merely with colors but with the intertwining hues of an interconnected community, where every stroke echoes a narrative, and every shade reverberates with the collective heartbeat of shared experiences. In her artistic odyssey, she becomes a living testament to the capacity of creativity to bridge gaps, connect souls, and weave an intricate message that celebrates the connection of human existence.