Synkroniciti is excited to welcome back Italian visual artist Ambra Scali with two paintings in the rigatino style. Pioneered after the 1966 flooding of Florence by the Arno, rigatino grew out of a restoration technique pioneered by the Istituto Centrale per il Restauro (Central Institute for Restoration) in Rome and was originally designed to restore and recover paintings which had been damaged. Small vertical hatches (righe) were used to suggest the color of areas which had been stripped of color. Ambra uses this process to create original paintings in oil and ink over cardboard. The result produces a magical effect that looks much like tapestry.
Il Riposo (Rest), shows the renewal of the feminine, nurturing element of humanity through rest, safety and companionship. “The search for inner peace and serenity is manifested by three women resting against a sphere, which symbolizes harmony between light and darkness, wrapped in an embrace of tranquility. They find refuge in a landscape made of blankets, each with a unique texture and pattern, evoking elements of nature.” Nature heals us, if we know how to approach her with reverence.
Mettere Ordine (Putting in order) explores recovery from trauma. A woman “is immersed in a disorderly environment that symbolizes the multiple influences and expectations imposed by society. Each object around her can be seen as a fragment of our daily lives: social expectations, work pressures, interpersonal relationships. This chaos reflects the complexity of our existence, where we often find ourselves defining who we are based on external factors rather than through a deep understanding of ourselves. In the midst of disorder, it is essential to find the courage to explore one’s emotions and desires, as it is only through this introspection that we can begin to build an authentic sense of self. Each of us has the right to explore our identity beyond the expectations of others.” By taking control and ordering our lives, we do the daily work of healing and reconstruction.
See Ambra’s gorgeous and transformative artwork in Synkroniciti’s “Recovery” issue, available for purchase here: https://synkroniciti.com/the-magazine/purchase-individual-issues/.
Ambra Scali (Bordighera, 1994) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Bordighera (Imperia, Italy). Her works focus mainly on the relationship between society and the natural environment.
She believes that art can promote healing as the artist encloses emotions, sensations and parts of herself in the material, allowing those who interact with the work to perceive and sometimes absorb the energies concentrated in it. She uses a variety of materials and techniques, preferring ceramic or clay sculpture, acrylic and oil painting, as well as multimedia installations. She also works in the set design and costume departments in the entertainment industry.