Bruno Gambone

BRUNO GAMBONE (Vietri sul Mare, 1936–2021).
Vase.
Ceramic.
Signed and marked “Gambone Italy” on the base.

Bruno Gambone was one of the leading figures in the renewal of Italian ceramics in the second half of the 20th century, developing a style deliberately distinct from that of his father, Guido Gambone. In this piece, the verticality and the clean lines of the profile transform the vessel into a form with a strong sculptural presence. The body, with its understated textured surface, is articulated by horizontal bands that introduce rhythm and emphasize the structure of the volume, while the flared neck breaks with the strict geometry of the lower section. This combination of essential forms, restrained decoration, and attention to the inherent qualities of the material particularly characterizes the artistic exploration Gambone has pursued since the 1970s.

After initially training in his father’s Florentine studio, Gambone lived in New York from 1962 to 1967, where he became involved in the contemporary art scene; upon his return to Italy, he fully resumed his work in ceramics beginning in 1969. He participated in major international events, including the Faenza ceramics competitions, the Venice Biennale, and the Milan Triennale. His work is represented in the collection of the Museo della Ceramica di Grottaglie and in the Olnick Spanu Collection in New York, whose collection of ceramics from the 1970s and 1980s was the subject of an exhibition and monographic publication organized by the Magazzino Italian Art Foundation in 2020.