Sonal Ambani

Sonal Ambani's artistic journey began three decades ago, fueled by the rich cultural tapestry of New York City. Her work is a profound exploration of contemporary humanitarian and social issues, masterfully interwoven with symbols from both the natural and modern worlds. Her art transcends mere visual appeal, seeking to engage viewers in deeper introspection. She believes that art needs to find a balance between visual elegance and intrinsic contemplation.

​

During two Venice Art Biennales, the European Cultural Centre has showcased her sculptures “Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune" in 2024 (April to November) and "Riderless World" in 2022. Her sculpture series “We Dream Under The Same Sky” was shown by the Leila Heller Gallery at the DIFC Sculpture Park and at the gallery in Dubai. Her work is a part of the collection of many prominent art collectors from India, Europe, the Middle East, and the USA, including the collection of the Royal Family of Bahrain. Her work has been showcased at the India Art Fair, Art Bahrain Across Borders, and several art festivals, museums, and prominent galleries in India.

​
In 2018, she was selected to be among 101 people to create a piece for the Elephant Parade in India. Her stainless-steel sculpture “The March of Time” was chosen to be showcased and auctioned in Mayfair, London for The Concours d’éléphant Auction. Her stainless-steel elephant “Elegance in Steel”, which was exhibited at the India Art Fair in 2015, found a home in Switzerland. A vineyard in Nashik has been named ‘The Red Tree Vineyard’ after her towering 25 feet tall, majestic sculpture, Tree of Serenity.

Sonal Ambani is a member of the United Nations Development Fund for women. She is the recipient of the prestigious Pfeiffer Peace Prize, the Women of Excellence Award (FICCI – FLO), and the Times of India Women Power Award for Art and Sculpture. A significant portion of the proceeds of her work goes towards cancer awareness, a cause that is close to her heart.

​

Notable Artistic Achievements

​

Her work is a part of the collection of many prominent Indian art collectors and with collectors from Europe, the Middle East and the USA. During the Venice Art Biennale, the European Cultural Centre has showcased her sculptures "Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune" and "Riderless World" in 2024 and 2022 respectively. Her works have been showcased at the India Art Fair, Art Bahrain Across Borders, the Ahmedabad Art Fair and several art festivals and at prominent galleries in India. In 2018, she was selected to be among 101 people to create a piece for the Elephant Parade in India. Her stainless steel sculpture “The March of Time” was chosen to be showcased and auctioned in Mayfair, London for The Concours d’éléphant Auction. This sculpture was the most vied for piece at the charity auction. A significant number of her sculptures are a part of the collection of the Royal Family of Bahrain. They have also been seen at the Habitat Centre, and was selected by the Art Society of India (established 1918) to be displayed at Jehangir Art Gallery. Her stainless steel elephant “Elegance in Steel”, which was exhibited at the India Art Fair in 2015, found a home in Switzerland. A vineyard in Nashik has been named ‘The Red Tree Vineyard’ after her towering 25 feet tall, majestic sculpture, (Tree of Serenity).

​

Other Achievements

​

She is the founder of “Cancer Screening Research Trust” whose primary focus is to promote early cancer awareness. As a fund raiser for cancer awareness, she authored two coffee table books, “Mothers and Daughters” launched at the Victoria & Albert Museum, London in 2004 and “Father and Sons”. To promote the importance of early screening, she produced two television commercials which have been shown on the national Indian television channels such as Zee TV, the Star Channels and Doordarshan with a combined viewership exceeding 300 million. The awareness campaign won the Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) esteemed award for “Best Commercial for a Non-Profit Organization”.

​

In 2010, she founded and served as the first Chairperson of FICCI – FLO Ahmedabad, which was launched with Shri Narendra Modi (the current Prime Minister of India, who at the time was the Chief Minister of Gujarat). She has a notable educational background, with a PhD in Business Management and holds a patent granted in the US namely, “System and method for providing financial services to children and teenagers” Prior to her artistic endeavours, she worked as an investment banker for one of the largest US investment banks in New York City. She has also been recognized for her work in the business community and serves on the boards of three large publicly listed companies, and is also a member of the United Nations Development Fund for Women.

​

She is a recipient of the prestigious Pfeffer Peace Prize given to her in New York in 2010, Women of Excellence Award from FICCI-FLO in Ahmedabad in 2018 and the Times of India Women Power Award for Art and Sculpture in 2019. Her sculptures have been covered in many publications, most recently in Architectural Digest in February 2020 and in Arianna Huffington's Thrive Global  from 2021 - 2024.

The International Pfeffer Peace Award or Pfeffer Peace Award is one of the three peace awards presented by the United States Fellowship of Reconciliation (United States) (FOR), along with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award and the Nyack Area Peace Award.

​

Awards and Recognition

• The Times of India Women Power Award for Art and Sculpture (2019)

• The Women of Excellence Award from FICCI – FLO (2018)

• Pfeffer Peace Award (2011)

• Pride of Gujarat and Maharashtra Award (2011)

• Tej Gyan Foundation (2011)