FOOTSCRAY artist John Gambardella returned home from a recent exhibition in Italy with more than a sense of wonderment.
The captivating history and architecture has become his muse and a reminder of his early life.
Gambardella was born in Trieste, Italy, and migrated to Australia with his parents when he was seven.
The Gambardellas were among the 20,000 or so ‘Trisetini’ who left the port city between 1954 and 1961 to settle in Australia.
“I don’t personally remember much about those days, except for the stories my father would tell, especially the difficult times post-war 1945 – hence why we migrated to Australia,” Gambardella said.
Now 64, he is bursting onto the national and international art scene after biding his time as a senior federal government bureaucrat for the past 43 years.
He was selected to exhibit his works at the Florence Biennale international contemporary art awards held in Italy in December last year.
Since returning, he’s been working on a series of works called The Italian Connection, now on display as part of the Hobsons Bay Council’s Art in Public Places program. “I have been back to Trieste, and every time I’m there I do feel a connection and bits and pieces do come back,” Gambardella
says.
His works depict the historic architecture of major Italian cities and were created first with sketches using liquid pencil, airbrushing and then black ink to enhance the drawing.
Acrylic colour has been added, giving them an almost ageing, photographic look.
The series contains a drawing/painting of Trieste’s Miramare Castle, built from 1856 to 1860 for Austrian Archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who later became Emperor of Mexico, only to be executed with two of his generals during the Mexican Civil War.
Gambardella’s works will be on display until April 27 at the Breeze Restaurant, Nelson Place, Williamstown. Details: artinpublicplaces.com.au
