Behind the brushstrokes: Life and art of Jono Pisano

SiGMA Magazine’s Issue 29 features the talented Italian-Filipino artist Jono Pisano. Having fallen deeply in love with the Philippines’ vibrant and chaotic beauty, Jono has made plans to make the country his lifelong home.

Starting out in New York, Jono takes his artistic journey to the bustling city of Manila. Seeking a more tranquil and prosperous environment for both himself and his creations, Jono plans to establish a studio in the province of Bataan, where his family owns a farm.

Contributing to SiGMA Europe

“The goal for me is to make pieces that allow people to get lost in them, to give them a moment of pause.”

– Jono Pisano

In November, Jono will contribute his “Tropical Serenade” artwork to the SiGMA Europe charitable auction in Malta. Inspired by his experiences in the gaming industry, he aims to create pieces that offer a respite from the daily chaos of life.

Jono’s art is a harmonious blend of classical influences and modern sensibilities, inviting viewers to pause and reflect amidst the hectic pace of everyday life. “Tropical Serenade” features his uncle in a serene clearing surrounded by palm trees, embodying a moment of tranquillity amidst the chaos of daily life.

A lifelong journey

Jono’s journey into the world of art was a somewhat unexpected one. Growing up with a father deeply rooted in the gaming industry, he faced frequent relocations and adjustments. As a shy individual, drawing became his anchor during these times of change.

His passion for drawing persisted throughout his youth, leading him to pursue art at the Parsons School of Design in New York. “Drawing was that constant for me,” he reflects. “No matter how drastically the scenery changed, pencil to paper would always take me somewhere familiar.”

He began his career in commercial art, particularly product design. However, fate intervened when a gallery looking for a replacement artist offered him a solo exhibition after being impressed by his sketches. This event solidified Jono’s decision to pursue fine arts.

When asked how he envisions the world perceiving him and his art, he embraced the label of an “up-and-coming and emerging artist.” He views his artistic journey as a lifelong endeavour and is content with his current stage.

Jono’s works are characterised by an ever-evolving style that encourages viewers to join him on his artistic journey. Manila’s paradoxical beauty, a blend of chaos and tranquillity, vibrancy and peace, has significantly influenced his work. However, his pieces are more than just representations of his surroundings; they serve as a counterpoint to the pervasive distractions of modern life, particularly the overstimulating nature of social media.

“I want a space where people can have their own thoughts, free from the constant dopamine rush of platforms like Instagram,” he says.

Jono emphasised how people are constantly distracted and crave peace. “I’m a little nervous about that—of not having time to really see things for how they are, through the lens of your own perspective and personal history,” he admitted.

Among his many pieces, Jono is particularly proud of a large diptych titled “Unified by Obscurity”, which he created for his second solo show in 2018. Like his others, this piece invites viewers to delve deeper and find personal connections.

Jono’s love for the Philippines’ natural beauty has inspired him to focus on painting the people and landscapes around him. He has noticed a lot of European faces in local art and has used this as an inspiration to create a more authentic representation of his environment.

Balancing classical and modern

Jono’s work reflects a delicate balance between classical representation and modern expression. He draws inspiration from both Renaissance and Impressionist styles, incorporating meticulous techniques and an exploration of light and perception.

“It mirrors how at the beginning of my career, I felt that it was important to know the rules so I could break them effectively,” he notes on the topic of finding the balance between classical representation and modern expression.

He also noted that after he mastered these fundamentals, he became more fascinated with the mechanisms of sight and how people perceive the world. Leading him to revisit the ideas of the Impressionists. “In today’s digital age, where screens are ubiquitous, I felt it was crucial to reexamine how we see and how screens alter our perception.”

“I began thinking about how dual monitors and the backlighting of screens influence our subconscious interaction with images. I explored the interplay of colours at the edges of images and how this affects our visual experience.”

The blend of this meticulous technique and exploration of sight and perception is evident in his work. The fusion of Renaissance techniques and Impressionist concepts has influenced his pieces, leading to a unique style that addresses both classical representation and modern visual dynamics.

Future plans

Jono’s future plans include setting up a studio on his family’s farm in Bataan, where he plans to focus on creating larger sculptural pieces. He loves animals and gardening and believes that manual labour allows his mind to wander and think creatively.

While acknowledging the rich history of the Philippine art industry, Jono emphasised the need for more government support to elevate the local art scene to the level of the New York or Paris art scene.

Jono is currently working on a new piece, driven by reflective questions about identity and the nature of painting. He plans to focus on creating pieces that reflect those around him, exploring themes of self-revelation and connection.

SiGMA Europe: The grand finale

Get ready for a gaming extravaganza in Malta! SiGMA Europe, the world’s largest iGaming conference, is closing out the SiGMA World Tour 2024 with a spectacular finale. Join us from 11-14 November for unforgettable experiences, networking opportunities, and the latest industry trends. This is an event not to be missed!