The only simple thing about this artist is his name; the diversity of his work has to be seen to be believed: painted collages, oil paintings and other painting in other mediums not to mention his wooden sculptures.

Born in Serra de Sant’Ana in the backlands (sertão) of Seridó, Rio Grande do Norte, Ambrósio was educated only to primary school level, and even that with difficulty, in Brasilia where he got his first job as an office boy for a well-to-do family.
As well as his sculptures he makes postcards of which he says “they’re sold almost all over Europe”. The artist can turn his hand to anything painted – from T shirts, caps and trousers to hotel and guest house signs not to mention, of course, his canvases.

At the moment Ambrósio has his studio and an art gallery by the beach in Pipa where in only 300 square metres he produces and exhibits his work as well as teaching both children and adults. As for the address the artist says it is enough to ask for “Ambrósio’s studio”…

After living and working in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Salvador and Forteleza amongst others between the years of 1976 and 1987 Ambrósio finally returned to Rio Grande do Norte to stay where he discovered the ecological delights of Pipa.

And it was here in Pipa that Ambrósio’s talent gave fruit. Enchanted by the landscape and peace of the Potiguaran* coast he began to work with tree trunks, roots and dried plants. From these he produces sculptures finished with carnaúba wax. He says of the pieces “I don’t dye them; the colours are all natural.