John Gonnella

John Gonnella is a Boston-based artist whose practice is rooted in the popular iconography of the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. His large format paintings, rendered in a combination of fine art and industrial materials including acrylic, aerosol, and resin, blend nostalgic references with a contemporary, highly saturated aesthetic. His works are widely collected for their lustrous surface effects that bring new life to historic forms; at once familiar and boldly modern, transforming vintage imagery into modern icons. John’s painting practice is strongly influenced by his formal fine art studies and decades-long career as an Executive Creative Director in the advertising industry. He has created groundbreaking branding experiences for major corporate entities including Dunkin’ Donuts, Panasonic, John Deere, Huawei, New Balance, Reebok, and Timberland. Currently based in Boston’s South End, his work engages a dialogue between the media-driven pop culture he once helped shape, to a more personal exploration of societal structures. His high-key compositions invite viewers to revisit preconceptions and approach these icons with a renewed sense of play. Recently incorporating AI into his process, John has been able to fuse traditional media with cutting-edge digital tools to reimagine subjects and create fresh interpretations of popular iconography. By blending a human touch with algorithmic precision, he interrogates notions of femininity, family, and identity, challenging conventions and opening new avenues for reflection.