John Gambardella — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

May 1

May 1 John Gambardella

Biography

Born in Trieste (Italy), I have always been interested in art as far back to my early school days. Not being able to make a leaving from art in my early twenties, I embarked in a career working for the Australian Government, continuing to keep an interest and self-development in fine art painting as a means of escaping from the daily rituals – most rewarding feeling.
Since my retirement in 2005, I returned to art on a full time basis, having been privileged to be selected for art exhibitions and awards both nationally and internationally – being successful more recently in receiving the 2020, Master Artist Award, from ARTtour International Inc., and the Winner of the Artavita Online Art Contest.
Starting my art practice late in life, I find that art no matter what genre, is attainable by all – the trick is to let yourself go and open one’s heart and mind to life itself. My style of painting has been categorized as traditional realism and more recently, abstract impressionism.
I create and seek to define new art boundaries, enabling to excite and evoke interest in the viewer. My art is my escape, my passion, my reward in life.

Artist Statement

I have a number of subjects that have been depicted as part of my art practice, and one subject that is dear to my heart is exploring the nature of animals.
Animals have long been part of the art story. In art animals can make us consider our own relationship to nature, and painting animals is a practice as far back as the Stone Age, where animals decorated the walls of caves, and over the many centuries they have been portrayed in religious rituals, as mythical creatures, incarnations of gods and goddesses, or simply as pets. I hope that my animal paintings will provide the viewer with a sense of wonderment, both real and mythical.

What first prompted you to think of becoming an artist?

I was always interested in art since my early school days. I carried that interest on till my early twenties, but making a living from art back then was difficult, and so I embarked on a professional career working for the Australian Government, continuing to keep interested and self-development in fine art as a means of escaping from the daily rituals and keeping connected. Since my retirement in 2005, I returned to art on a full-time basis, and have found my return to art both rewarding and being privileged to be part of the art community worldwide, especially exhibiting overseas.

What kind of an artist do you ultimately see yourself?

I am a 2D artist and would like to think that I can lend my hand across all facets of subjects, use of material, and techniques. I am not afraid to experiment and feel great satisfaction when completing a piece of art. My style of painting has been categorized as traditional realism and more recently, abstract impressionism. I am comfortable with that labeling and gives me a sense of ownership and recognition of my work.

What are you hoping to communicate to the viewer through your work?

I seek to create and define new art boundaries, enabling me to excite and evoke interest in the viewer. I would like the viewer to identify my art as unique and original work, and say, that is definitely a Gambardella! I pride myself to know that my style has not been allied to other artists.

Can you explain the process of creating your work?

Not much to it really, I take the spontaneous approach, especially as I am able to sketch freely – have done so since my early days. Not to say I don’t plan ahead, in so far as subject matter, material and technique are concerned. I try not to over-produce artwork from the start, but build up by using background to foreground and adding the finishing touches to highlight the final product. Of course, it all depends on the material and technique used at the time and how you progress through the stages that have been set. There is nothing more annoying when you have completed 60% - 70% of the artwork to find that it’s not going as planned and the end is further than you’ve anticipated – that’s when it’s time to tear your hair out!

What is your favorite part of the creative process?

That what you’ve planned has actually come to fruition and that your artwork stands up to that of your peers and is accepted by the wider audience.

Can you give us an insight into current projects and inspiration, or what we can look forward to from you in the near future?

I have a number of themes that I tend to gravitate back to, and my inspiration derives from what I see around me and the many places I have been lucky to visit around the world. I am presently exploring more and more towards my abstract impressionism style, and those followers of my art will be surprised what’s installed next, but of course, that remains a secret!

Website https://marineartistsaustralia.com.au/member/gianfranco-john-gambardella/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Gambardella-Original-Art