Ambra Gambale

Ambra Gambale
Born Ambra Gambale
Nationality South African & Italian
Known for Conceptual art, Sculpture, Jewellery
Notable work Silvered Crocodile Skull
Movement Metamodernism, Magic Realism, Surrealism
Website www.ambrajewellery.com

Ambra Gambale is a South African and Italian artist and fine jewelry designer. Her Skullchemy range of momento mori artworks created from exotic animal skulls, metals & precious stones have been exhibited and sold in London, Notting Hill & Dover Street, Mayfair.[1] Her fine jewellery range is handmade and centred on the use of gold, ebony and diamonds. Her collectors include the likes of pulitzer prize winner Lauren Beukes.[2]

Her Silvered Crocodile Skull art piece, is a crocodile skull in platinum and diamonds that was featured in Casa Vogue of Brazil valued at £1,000,000.[3][4] While merchandised pieces of the skull along with her jewelry have been sold at Wolf & Badger in Mayfair and Merchants on Long, Cape Town.[5][6][7]

Life and career

Early life

Born in South Africa of mixed Sicilian and Venetian ancestry,[8] She is descended from the historic Gambale Venetian noble family of military leaders that can trace its roots to 6th century Venice from which Ambra draws inspiration for her works with regal and combatant themes and motifs such as crowns, armour and swords that feature in her art and jewellery.[4][9][10] Ambra went on to study design at Central Saint Martins and the Inchbald School of Design in London before setting up her own jewellery brand.[11]

Career

Ambra Gambale established Ambra Fine Jewellery in 2010, making use of fine diamonds and precious metals such as gold and platinum. Her works are designed for the high end luxury market, but also have a playful and girly charm.[12]

By 2013, her jewellery had been sold and listed next to the likes of Anoushka Ducas & Theo Fennel and stocked internationally in London, UK and Cape Town, South Africa.[11] Her 2013 collection "Diamond Dreaming" included bracelets, necklaces and pendants inspired by the Islamic Hamsa motif as well as keys, crowns and peace signs in 9ct and 18ct white, yellow and rose gold.[13][14]

Her range of Skullchmey exotic animal skulls of crocodile, baboon, caracul are dipped in liquid precious metals in a technique she has developed herself. Her metal embalming process leaves the exotic animal skulls in an antiqued patina finish that is already being copied by others.[1] Ambra's Skullchemy range is inspired by surreal influences of skeletal carcasses she had seen on South African roads juxtaposed with her desire to add hope and light to this scene of death.[15]

Her works have been featured and listed on international media such as Casa Vogue of Brazil, Top Billing TV show in South Africa, British GQ & Grazia Magazine.[16][17]

Artwork

Her works include:

References

  1. 1 2 Nechama Brodie, "Things of beauty: Ambra Gambale’s Skullchemy range," Mail & Guardian, 24 May 2013
  2. ↑ “Ambra Fine Jewellery is "exquisitely dark” says Lauren Beukes,” Ambra Fine Jewellery. 1 November 2013
  3. ↑ Natalia Martucci, "Quando a natureza invade a casa," Casa Vogue - Brazil, 16 May 2014
  4. 1 2 "Silvered Crocodile Skull #11". ALIARS Gallery. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  5. ↑ "Ambra Fine Jewellery | Design Indaba". Design Indaba. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  6. ↑ Matthew Shave, “Around the World in 80 Jewellers,” Conde Nast Traveller, pg. 21, May 2015
  7. ↑ "Bits & Pieces" (PDF). Indive - SA Express. September 2013. p. 19. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  8. ↑ "Fashion | Accessories | Ambra Fine Jewellery". Mr. Doveton - The Style Destination for Men. 2014-06-10. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  9. ↑ "Gambale Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History". www.houseofnames.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  10. ↑ "Gambale Name Meaning & Gambale Family History at Ancestry.com". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
  11. 1 2 "Diamond Dreaming – A Collection Of Collectable Charms,” Cape Lux, Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  12. ↑ “Come Swipe With Me,” Play Magazine - South Africa, September 2013
  13. ↑ Stephanie Hirschmiller, “Sorcersses of Stones,” Pomp Magazine pg. 30. September 2013
  14. ↑ "Sex And The City 2 Ambra Gambale". Top Billing. June 2010 – via youtube.com.
  15. ↑ Mia Ziervogel, “Ambra Skullchemy,” Dossier Magazine - South Africa, pg. 95 September 2013
  16. ↑ "Win with Ambra," Garzia, 10 December 2013
  17. ↑ "Ambra's Gold Spider Pin from the "Insectology" range". British GQ. November 2013. Retrieved 11 July 2015 – via facebook.com.
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