WILLIAM GAMBINI Obituary

GAMBINI--William, 92, died on January 3, 2010 in San Diego, CA after a long productive lifetime as an artist. Born in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn, Bill served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and participated in the invasion at Normandy. Bill graduated C.C.N.Y., studied at the Brooklyn Museum Fine Arts School, Esmeralda Fine Arts School in Mexico City, and the Art Students League (where he subsequently taught). He was part of the New York school of abstract expressionism in the late 40s and 50s, involved in the Tenth Street Co-Op Gallery with deKooning, Kline, Rothko, Pollock, and others. In addition to one-man exhibitions, he had major group exhibitions at the Whitney Annual, Museum of Modern Art, Guggenheim Museum, Brooklyn Museum and Houston Museum. Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Peggy, his two children, Elizabeth and Vittorio, and four grandchildren: Tiffany, Tony, Dominick and Justin. A retrospective of Bill's work will be held on March 27th at the Borrelli Design building in San Diego. Tom, Diahn & Courtney McGrath

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Published by New York Times on Jan. 24, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for WILLIAM GAMBINI

11 Entries

G. Alex Mitkevich

August 11, 2018

I lived in downtown SD in a gutted out church on 10th with lots of other artists and marginal types. I'd see him and his artwork displayed in a store front around the corner. I got to be friends with him and I helped him move from downtown to a house in golden hill. His way of doing just about anything was unique and often aprouched as an art form. We'd smoke faro cigarettes, drink coffee, drive around in his orange van. That time as a 19 year old lost young man I'll never forget. His way talking about life and art were one in the same. He'd say to me you have to feed the greaseball or a bum is an artist who sees in color and only of recent do I now understand what he was getting at. God bless him..

March 3, 2014

Just found out about Bill's passing. A profound loss to our world.I studied with him in Fresh Meadows, Queens. Trying to get in touch with his wife with no success. My deepest condolences. Caroline Lembeck

Violet Roan

March 10, 2011

I had seen some of Mr. Gambini's work at a gallery when I was in Seneca a few years ago. His work was different, but I could identify with it. I could feel the determinations of positivity escaping the darkness. The abstract painting I wanted was quite large. It would have taken up an entire wall, but I could have looked at it all day, it was so enlightening, to me. He was an abstract and figurative painter. There was also a painting of a man wearing a suite, who had no face. I also liked this painting, for whatever reason, I felt a connection to it. Rest in peace Mr. Gambini. Love to the family.

October 24, 2010

My late husband's partner in the antiques business, John Rich, was a friend and patron of Bill in the 1950's in New York- Through John Rich we obtained a wonderful collection of Bill's paintings, including a portrait of Mr. Rich- Bill was not only a great talent but also a truly good and generous human being- Louise O'Shaughnessy, Watkins Glen, NY

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Michael Gerson

April 27, 2010

I just learned of Bill’s passing today. Life is diminished.
Love him forever. Hi Peg, Vittorio and Elizabeth.

Stuart Benson

February 6, 2010

My sweetheart Sandy & I enjoyed the pleasure of conversation, dinner, wine and a studio tour with Bill during our visit with Jim Murray in San Diego in 2002. I recall Bill's insightful awareness and presence to this day. His comments regarding the distinction between "original art" and "contrived art" rang true.

Cheryl Magellen

February 6, 2010

There are not enough words to describe the impact made by Bill Gambini in the art world. Not only was he an influential painter and superb colorist, he was a compelling teller of tales and always took the time to share freely his endless knowledge of art and paint. I first met Bill and Peg in the 90s on the steps of a downtown artist loft where I had just relocated. Unlike the unforgiving neighborhood we shared, they were hospitable and invited me over for a tour of the studio/workspace, which turned into wine, dinner, and a steadfast friendship. I cannot recall any one visit to their home where I did not find him painting in his studio, which he had fashioned out of anything he could pull together--from a room painted completely black to a storage shed in the backyard. He continues to be my inspiration when it comes to being committed to producing art. When I put a painting I am working on up on the wall in the morning while having my coffee, I always wonder what Bill Gambini would say about it.

James Murray

February 1, 2010

Bill Gambini was truly a gentle soul, but also prodding, inquisitive, compelling, curious, and sincere. He referred to his work as historical, and would often mention Johann Goethe, Friedrich Nietzsche, Richard Wagner, Arthur Schopenhauer, Pablo Picasso, Paul Cezanne, Franz Kline, Joseph Campbell, Thomas Paine, Albert Camus, Buckminster Fuller, Abe Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Baruch Spinoza, John Kennedy, Barack Obama, Grandma Moses, Martin Luther, Michelangelo, Virginia Wolf, Buddha, Albrecht Durer, Peter Ford, Albert Einstein, Horace M. Kallen, Maxwell Bodenheim, Carl Jung, and Peggy Wild. Bill was concerned not only with the visual but also the "good word". I was fortunate to be close to Bill and Peggy for 33 years, and spent over 20 of them in San Diego, visiting and dining with them at least weekly to sometimes nightly. We talked at great length and I was priveledged to see many of his works in progress. Bill placed an ad in a local publication looking for painters of the New York school w/studio in San Diego, and I was looking for my mentor. He turned out to be much more than just a teacher, and I'll miss him every day.

Kristen Aliotti

January 23, 2010

It was a so good to see all the family at the reception. See you again at the retrospective in March, if not before. We treasure our works by Bill Gambini. Talked to Peg today. She is lucky to have the loving support of all of you. Condolences from all the Aliottis. Love, Kristen

Liz Laughlin

January 19, 2010

Please enter a condolence here
Bill Gambini was a gentle soul and talented artist who will be missed! I feel very fortunate to hold memories of hearing his stories of days in New York while we drank wine and smoked cigarettes in Mike Borrelli's back yard years ago. I own one of his paintings that I have treasured and will continue to display proudly!

Frank Buono III

January 19, 2010

Vic and Family,
Are thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
All our love Frank & Karen Buono

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