Arn Ghigliazza

"Kiva IV" - 1970's Minimalist Geometric Abstract

1973

Arn Ghigliazza, a native San Franciscan, earned a BA and an MA in painting and art history from San Francisco State University. He was a cartoonist/graphic artist for the college's humor magazine, the Garter, and one of the founders of the publication. He served two years as an illustrator in the U.S. Army. Later, he taught art at Santa Cruz High School and Harbor High School, where he headed the art department. Ghigliazza also taught modern art history and art appreciation at Cabrillo College. His work has been shown in various San Francisco galleries. Ghigliazza's work has been described by San Francisco art critic Axenander Fried "as having a refined, atmospheric gentility...dealing with visionary geometry." Of his work, Arn Ghigliazza has said, "I base my work on Indian designs and symbols of North and Central America. There are magnificent works of many great abstract geometric painters of this century. They have been created through logic in the tradition of the many thousands of unknown primitive artists who created their work instinctively in a search for order. I hope sincerely that my work brings attention to their cultures and that I have pleased their spirits."