Artistic Journey

Decades of Creative Exploration and Achievement

Early art exhibitions in the public gardens of Bacoli, Naples, Italy, 1960’s.

Early Years and Artistic Beginnings

Born in Bacoli on May 11, 1938, Ferdinando Ambrosino embarked on his painting career in the early 1950s, showing promise from the outset. By 1956, Ambrosino was already balancing his classical studies with a deep involvement in the art scene, highlighted by his role in organizing a significant art exhibition in Bacoli’s public gardens. Paolo Ricci, writing for Unità, emphasized Ambrosino’s ambitious vision and his admiration for the broad canvases of Italian realists, aiming to explore expansive themes.

Academic Pursuits and Early Recognition

Ambrosino received his Classical High School Diploma in 1957, followed by enrollment in the Geological Science Course at the University of Naples in 1958, marking the beginning of a lifelong interest in geology. Concurrently, his painting career progressed, with 1959 seeing the creation of several large-scale canvases influenced by cubism, one of which was honored at the “First Edition of the National Exhibition for Young Italian Artists” in Naples.

Early art exhibitions in the public gardens of Bacoli, Naples, Italy, 1960’s.

The 1960s: Artistic Development and National Recognition

The early 1960s were marked by a shift towards “neo-realistic” canvases, focusing on rural life and labor, revealing a distinct sense of weight and toil. Ambrosino’s style matured through his experiences and museum visits, culminating in accolades such as the Avezzano Prize in 1961 and participation in a joint exhibition with notable Neapolitan artists in 1962.
A pivotal moment came in 1965 when Ambrosino decided to dedicate himself fully to art, leading to significant acclaim, including first prizes in the National “Fatigati” Exhibition and the “Città di Ercolano” National Painting Exhibition in 1966. This period saw a deeper exploration of naturalistic themes and a more personalised dialogue with his surroundings, with evident influences from Impressionism and Cubism.

Solo Exhibitions and Expanding Influence

Musée du Bastion Saint André, Antibes, Cote d’Azur, France, 1992.

1967 was a landmark year, featuring Ambrosino’s first solo exhibition at the UCAI in Naples’ Maschio Angioino, where he gained the support of critic Piero Girace. This year also saw his participation in the “Cerreto Guidi” National Biennial Exhibition of Art, earning a gold medal, and recognition as the best Italian artist at the National Art Exhibition of the Tourist Office of Desenzano on Garda Lake.

International Success and Continued Growth

Ambrosino’s international presence expanded with a solo exhibition in Venezuela in 1968, acclaimed by critics and the public. In Caracas he then had other ten solo exhibitions, and took part to various art events organized by public institutions and Museums. To this period it follows a series of solo exhibitions in Italy as well as in France, Venezuela, USA, Swiss, Spain and Belgium, which established his artistic career successfully.
He also secured first prize in the “Smargassi” National Painting Competition and received high honors at the “Proposta Culturale” in Naples, further solidifying his reputation.

Spazio Italia Gallery, Soho, New York, USA, 1994.

The 1970s: Diversification and Recognition

Throughout the 1970s, Ambrosino’s work diversified, notably with his exploration of ceramics in 1977. His presence in prestigious national exhibitions grew, such as the “Mario Sironi” Prize in Naples, with a significant monograph published in 1975 highlighting his contributions.
Among the many exhibitions of this period are to be mentioned the itinerant one of 1974 through Greece, Turkey, Romania and Russia.

The 1980s and Political Engagement

The 1980s were marked by Ambrosino’s increased political engagement, culminating in his election as mayor of Bacoli in 1983. This decade also featured significant exhibitions, including a retrospective under the patronage of the Campania Region at the Aragonese Castle of Ischia and the influential “Sapere-Sapore” exhibition in 1981, curated by Carmine Benincasa.
In 1986 a splendid anthological review of his art was organized at the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara, Italy.

The 1990s to Present: Legacy and Evolution

Spazio Italia Gallery, Soho, New York, USA, 1994.

Ambrosino’s artistic trajectory underwent a compelling transformation in the 1990s and beyond, characterized by a notable shift towards increasingly abstract and evocative expressions. It was within this period that a distinctive theme began to crystallize, eventually emerging as the focal point of his artistic endeavors—the Mediterranean Icons

(Le Icone Mediterranee). This profound exploration drew inspiration from the sacred iconography of Byzantine art, expertly reinterpreted through the contemporary lens of artistic expression. Infused with the distinctiveness of Ambrosino’s personal and artistic journey, as well as the rich tapestry of history and natural landscapes in the Phlegrean Fields—his birthplace and current residence—this thematic evolution stands as a testament to his enduring creativity and profound connection to his roots. Today, these Mediterranean Icons serve as a cornerstone in Ambrosino’s body of work, symbolizing a harmonious synthesis of tradition, contemporary vision, and the indelible imprints of his homeland.

His exhibitions during this period have cemented his legacy as a significant figure in contemporary art, with his journey characterised by continuous exploration and a profound engagement with the essence of life and nature.

In 1990 under the patronage of the Ministry of the Cultural Heritage of Rome, a highly celebrated exhibition was held in the monumental complex of San Michele a Ripa in Rome, with works spanning a thirty-year period of Ferdinando Ambrosino’s artistic career.

In 1992 a large exhibition was held at the prestigious Paris Art Centre art gallery, and in the same year he was invited to exhibit at the Musée du Bastion Saint André in Antibes, on the Cote d’Azur, France.

Of great significance for his artistic career were the 2 exhibitions held in 1994 and 1997 at Spazio Italia Gallery, in Soho, New York, and in 1998 at the Italian Institute of Culture in San Francisco, USA.

From 2003 about 200 paintings were exhibited at the Museum of Villa San Carlo Borromeo, in Milan, Italy.

Principle Art Gallery, Charleston, South Carolina, USA, with Director Frank Conrad Russen, 2017.

In 2004, the exhibition ‘L’Icona Mediterranea’ (‘Mediterranean Icon’) was held at the Sala Dorica of the Royal Palace in Naples, Italy, with the patronage of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage.

In 2007 the exhibition ‘Prophecy’ was held at the Italian Institute of Culture in New York, USA.

In 2009 the exhibition ‘The memory of Time’ was held at the Chelsea Art Museum in New York, USA.

In 2013 the exhibition ‘From Cumae to Pompeii – A Journey through Time’ was held at the Reggia Borbonica of Quisisana, Castellamare di Stabia, Naples, Italy.

In January 2014 an exhibition was held at Palazzo Ripamonti, at the showroom of Tasselli Cashmere, Bevagna, Italy.

In March 2014 the exhibition ‘From Cumae to Pompeii – A Journey Through Time’ – was held at the Italian Institute of Culture in San Francisco, USA.

In June 2014 the exhibition ‘From Cumae to Pompeii – A Journey Through Time’ – was held at the Naples Depot Museum, Naples, Florida, USA.

In 2015 the retrospective art exhibition ‘Magia di Icone Mediterranee’ (‘The Magic of Mediterranean Icon’) was held at the PAN Museum in Naples, Italy.

In 2017 an exhibition was held at the Principle Art Gallery, in Charleston, South Carolina, USA.

In 2020 Ferdinando Ambrosino received an award from the Mayor of Minori, a town on the Amalfi Coast in Campania region, for his cultural contributions through his various art projects and exhibitions.

Conclusion

Ferdinando Ambrosino’s artistic journey is marked by a relentless pursuit of evolving expression, from his early days in Bacoli to international recognition. His work, deeply rooted in the reality of his surroundings and yet transcending into abstract evocations, showcases a lifelong commitment to exploring the human condition, nature, and beyond. Ambrosino’s career is a testament to the enduring power of art to reflect, challenge, and inspire.