Today we’d like to introduce you to Trish A Gianakis

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?

My art reflects how I navigate the realms of contemporary art through a profound exploration of self-discovery and the collective consciousness of humanity. In my art I merge traditional painting and sculpting techniques with advanced technology, creating immersive experiences that further tell the story of the artworks meaning.

Being an artist has always been part of my life, especially being raised by my mother, a gallery director and artist/oil painter.

With the raku firing process, I paint with fire, I find that the smoke’s blackened surface on the exposed ceramic material emphasizes the power and drama of the emotion. The glazes produce a broad spectrum of color, while the high heat and reduction process creates metallic or white crackle effects that are captivating.

The digital aspect of my art is seamlessly integrated with the physical art with digital elements, using augmented reality to further tell my story with other 3d objects or animation to create an immersive experience for people to relate to.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?

In 2001, I founded Classe Design Digital Marketing agency and worked in the entertainment industry, collaborating with legends such as Elton John and Queen Latifah, among others.

In 2015, my artistic journey underwent a transformative shift prompted by my cancer diagnosis. This led me to transition from my role as a Creative Director while running ClasseDesign to becoming a dedicated full-time artist.

The road to becoming a full-time artist was a decision I made when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Not only did my health and life change but I underwent a transformative shift prompted by my cancer diagnosis in 2015. I started documenting this unforgettable journey with my art from the moment of discovery to today. By incorporating the emotions I have experienced; from the discovery of cancer, through the treatments, and now as a survivor I can express diverging themes of faith, spirituality, femininity, rage, s*x, and gratitude into my art.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

I like to classify myself as an immersive artist and professor.

In 1999, I earned my Master’s Degree in Computer Art Installation from the School of Visual Arts in NYC. Being one of the first artists in New York to create an art installation using Virtual Reality, I’ve consistently been a trailblazer at the intersection of digital art and technology.

Over the past seven years, I’ve immersed myself in the creation of art that explores themes of healing, nature, humanity, and peace. I seamlessly integrate physical art with digital elements, including 3D animations and augmented reality. In my vision, this marks a contemporary Renaissance where the traditional and the digital converge harmoniously in my creations.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?

While in undergraduate school until 2017, I studied under Raku Masters learning the Japanese raku in that it focuses primarily on this post-firing reduction. While both techniques embody the spirit of spontaneity, removing a piece from the kiln and letting it smolder in a combustible makes American raku pottery all the more exciting and unpredictable.

While getting my master’s degree in Computer Art from SVA, my mentor was Toni Dove, the first artist to use motion detection in her experimental interactive art and film production.

Tina Barry was also my mentor during my cancer journey to help me get published with my poetry, she also invited me to collaborate in artworks to complement her poetry.

Finally the last two years I received an artist residency with Creatives Rebuild NY and was hired as a full-time artist at Bronx Net TV from 2022 to 2024. The leadership team pushed me beyond my comfort zone, inspiring me to create immersive VR set designs for your broadcast company. I am excited about the potential these designs hold and hope they will be put to good use. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity.

My other project with them was “Explore the Bronx with Augmented Reality” and did some fund raising for them, and minted NFTs for 50 years of Hip-hop and BronxNet’s 35th anniversary.

This residency has also allowed my art to grow beyond my expectations, enabling me to showcase my work globally—in VR and at events like NFT NYC, Eth Denver, Miami Art Basel, and most recently, AWE in Los Angeles.

Pricing:

• Send message for pricing/inquiries
• TBD

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trishgianakis.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trishgiaart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TrishgiaART
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/trishgiagirl
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TrishAGianakis
• Other: https://linktr.ee/trishgia