In 2004, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Hon. Fulchand M.P. (1986), offered in the The Masterpieces & Museum Quality Series: Indian Contemporary Art – Books, Paintings & Sculpture by Osian's, which concluded on 15 October 2004 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹4,31,432 ($9,408). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Introduction
- Date of Birth
- 25 Jul 1943
- Zodiac sign
- Leo
- Place of Birth
- Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
- State Country of Birth
- Gujarat, India
1960
- Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce & Bachelor of Law, University of Ahmedabad, India
1960 – 1965
1970
- Studied art under the tutelage of Chaganlal Jadav, Ahmedabad, India
1977
- Founder Member and Secretary of Contemporary Painters' Group, Ahmedabad, India
1977 – 1980
- Nominated Member, Gujarat Lalit Kala Akademi
1977 – 1980
1987
- Member on the Board of Studies, M.S. University of Baroda, Vadodara, India
1987 – 1990
- Trustee, Contemporary Art Gallery
1987 – 1990
- Trustee, Gujarat Museum Society
1987 – 1990
- Trustee, Kite Museum
1987 – 1990
- Trustee, Kala Ravi Trust
1987 – 1990
- Trustee, Sarvodaya International Trust (Gujarat Chapter)
1987 – 1990
- Trustee, Gujarat Sanskrita Rangam
1987 – 1990
- Member Advisory Committee, Roopankar Museum, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, India
1987 – 1990
- Member, Advisory Committee, Navdeep Pratishthan
1987 – 1990
1993
- All India Artists' Camp, Sanghi Nagar, Hyderabad, India
- Nominated Member, Gujarat Lalit Kala Akademi
1994
- Artists' Camp, Coonor, Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu, India.
1995
- Interact 94, Alembic, Vadodara , India
1997
- Uttarayan ABS Industries Ltd., Vadodara, India
- Nominated Member, Gujarat Lalit Kala Akademi, India
1999
- Artists Camp, Organised by Archer Art Gallery, Nathadwara, India
- Member of Managament Committee, National Institute of Fashion Technology, Gandhinagar, India
1999 – 2001
2000
- Artists Camp, Neemrana, Art Today, New Delhi, India
2001
- Artists Camp, Uttarayan ABS Industries, Vadodara, India
- Member, Advisory Committee, National Museum of Modern Art, New Delhi, India
2002
- Artists Camp in Sri Lanka, Organised by The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
2003
- Fellowship, Civitella Ranieri Foundation, Italy
2004
- Artists Camp in Cambodia, Bangkok, Singapore, Organised by Gallery Threshold, New Delhi, India
2005
- Artists Camp in Myanmar, Organised by Gallery Threshold, New Delhi, India
2006
- Artists Camp in China, Organised by Gallery Threshold, New Delhi, India
2007
- Artists Camp in Bali, Organised by Gallery Threshold, New Delhi, India
- Artists Camp in Pondicherry, Organised by Gallery Threshold, New Delhi, India
Exhibitions
1980
- Huthseeing Visual Arts Center, Ahmedabad, India
- Urja Art Gallery, Vadodara, India
- Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
1983
- Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
- Sangath, Ahmedabad, India
1984
- Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, India
- Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
1986
- Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
- Sanskar Kendra Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
- Sixth Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
1988
- Art for CRY, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru, India
1989
- Artists Alert, Organised by Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (Sahmat), New Delhi, India
- India – Contemporary Art, Amsterdam, Netherlands
1990
- Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
- A Gallery of Indians, Harvard, UK
- Chitragurjari, Mumbai, India
- Gadyaparva Exhibition, Mumbai, India
- Biennale, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, India
1991
- Images and Words: Artists Against Communalism, Organised by Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (Sahmat), New Delhi, India
1992
- Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
1980
- Huthseeing Visual Arts Center, Ahmedabad, India
- Urja Art Gallery, Vadodara, India
- Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, India
1983
- Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
- Sangath, Ahmedabad, India
1984
- Shridharani Gallery, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, India
- Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
1986
- Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
- Sanskar Kendra Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
1990
- Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
1992
- Contemporary Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
- Gallery Espace, New Delhi, India
1993
- Hutheesing Visual Arts Centre, Ahmedabad, India
- Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
1994
- Gallery Espace, New Delhi, India
1996
- Herwitz Gallery, Husain Doshi Gufa, Ahmedabad, India
1997
26 Mar 1997 to 19 Apr 1997
1998
- Galerie F.I.A., Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Archer Gallery & Herwitz Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
2000
- Archer Art Gallery, Ahmedabad, India
Ambalal, Amit (Artist). Amit Ambalal, 1997 | Solo Exhibition Catalogue | 00882020
1986
- Sixth Triennale India, Lalit Kala Akademi, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, India
1988
- Art for CRY, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bengaluru, India
1989
- Artists Alert, Organised by Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (Sahmat), New Delhi, India
- India – Contemporary Art, Amsterdam, Netherlands
1990
- A Gallery of Indians, Harvard, UK
- Chitragurjari, Mumbai, India
- Gadyaparva Exhibition, Mumbai, India
- Biennale, Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, India
1991
- Images and Words: Artists Against Communalism, Organised by Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (Sahmat), New Delhi, India
1993
- Schoo's Gallery, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Shraddha Samarpan, Mumbai, India
- Art for CRY, New Delhi, India
1994
- Drawing 94, Gallery Espace, New Delhi, India
1995
- Art from the Heart, Taj Palace Hotel, New Delhi, India
- Watercolours: A Broad Spectrum, Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, India
- Art for CRY, Mumbai, India
- Indian Beasts, The Gallery, Chennai, India
- Utsava, Festival of Perth, Australia
- A Tree in My Life, Village Gallery, New Delhi, India
- Gouache on Paper, Gallery Espace, New Delhi, India
Chronicled Highlights 91986 – 2022
Amit Ambalal was born in 1943 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
In 2020, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (1986), offered in the Modern Indian Art-No Reserve Auction by Asta Guru, which concluded on 28 June 2020 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹9,86,050 ($13,048.51). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
You get the impression that he allows his mind to weave images like an outsider and then enters the painted space and dictates his own terms, almost froilicking with his characters as he composes them and then leaves, remaining strangely connected to them. In many ways his work still retains the qualities of a child’s world, of tigers, lions, elephants, peacocks, dogs, and of course the cows who can fly over the moon while doing their own thing. e says; I am just trying to catch the moment when magic enters and reality departs.
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of The Month Of Bhadrapad Or Many Lives (2003), offered in the Historical Series III by Osian's, which concluded on 24 November 2006 at New Delhi, achieving a sale price of ₹8,40,000 ($18,721). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
In 2005, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Apsara I (2005), offered in the Winter Online Auction: Modern and Contemporary Indian Art by Saffronart, which concluded on 08 December 2005 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹6,53,400 ($14,103). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
In 2006, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Flowering Kisses (2005), offered in the Modern Indian Art: Winter Online Auction by Saffronart, which concluded on 07 December 2006 at Online, achieving a sale price of ₹8,53,765 ($19,117). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
In 2024, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Silence Zone (2018), offered in the Dimensions Defined by Asta Guru, which concluded on 23 February 2024 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹16,96,226 ($20,463.58). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Untitled (2021), offered in the Historic Masterpieces by Asta Guru, which concluded on 17 December 2025 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹24,20,000 ($26,790.92). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
In 2025, the artist achieved a new high in the auction market with the sale of Mother Care (2022), offered in the Through Her Eyes by Asta Guru, which concluded on 30 September 2025 at Mumbai, achieving a sale price of ₹18,15,000 ($20,440.96). This record marked a defining moment in the artist's market history, reflecting both the significance of the artwork and its reception within the broader art world.
Economics of Art
Record-high lots8
Public Auction Market (1987–2026) | Select Indicators
Annual Auction Sale Turnover
It aggregates all sales across global auction houses into yearly totals.
Analysis reflected in the chart:
The turnover graph highlights periods of strong growth, moments of market correction, and resilience during downturns. Peaks often align with landmark works coming to public auction, while troughs may indicate reduced supply or weaker demand. Over time, the curve illustrates the overall trajectory of Amit Ambalal’s public auction market presence.
Average Sale Price Per Lot
It smooths out fluctuations caused by the quantity of works offered and focuses on the Average Sale Price level per artwork.
Analysis reflected in the chart:
Rising average sale prices indicate growing collector confidence and a stronger willingness to pay higher amounts per work. Assuming the mix of mediums remains relatively stable over time, the proportion of works on paper typically priced lower than works on canvas adds important context to understanding these market movements.
Square Inch Rate Trend
This allows fair comparisons between smaller works and larger canvases.
Analysis reflected in the chart:
The Square Inch Rate shown in the graph combines various medium types such as canvas, paper, board, and others. Historically, works on canvas and board have broadly commanded higher prices compared to works on paper.
1968
- Gujarat State Lalit Kala Akademi Award, Ahmedabad, India
1974
- Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation Award, Ahmedabad, India
2008
- Gaurav Puraskar, Gujarat State Lalit Kala Akademi, Gujarat, India
2012
- Kailas Lalit Kala Award, presented by Morari Bapu
Research Centre
Posts 2
- Tuli Research Centre for India Studies presents All Living Souls - Expressed in the Modern and Contemporary Fine & Popular Indian Arts Curated by Neville Tuli As part of launching the 16th Research Category for India Studies - "The Animal-Human-Nature-Continuum" we present a fascinating exhibition of modern and contemporary Indian fine and popular arts and their expression of the ideas and forms related to the dialogue between animals and humans, and the larger cosmic and spiritual thoughts which abide therein. Please visit the Exhibition and see the artworks by modern and contemporary masters such as Rabindranath Tagore, D.P. Roy Chowdhury, M.F. Husain, J. Swaminathan, J. Sultan Ali, Somnath Hore, Ganesh Pyne, Manjit Bawa, K. Laxma Goud, Krishna Reddy, Jyoti Bhatt, Rekha Rodwittiya, Amit Ambalal, among others, along with vintage and rare prints from the pioneering Indian chromolithographic presses such as Chitrashala, Ravi Varma, Calcutta Art Studio, Chore Bagan & Kansaripara.
- Amit Ambalal’s exquisite papier mache sculptures embody his larger philosophy of life: to remain inquisitive, playful and humorous, and to embrace life with joy, much like the canine figures that often animate his works. For him, art is an outward expression of an inner spiritual experience, something that is beyond just intellect. Belonging to an industrialist family, Ambalal spent his childhood immersed in stories of Indian mythology wherein the demarcation between reality and mythology often dissolved, and where animals mingled freely with humans. While he was expected to take over his family's business, Ambalal chose to pursue the arts and got trained under veteran artist Chhaganlal Jadav. In Ambalal's papier mache sculptures, a vibrant menagerie of animals emerge as protagonists in his artistic narratives. Inspired by the Pichwais of Nathdwara, he viewed life as Leela or divine play, where all beings, whether human or animal, are interconnected participants. His animals, from pouncing tigers to galloping dogs and leaping and brachiating monkeys are often suspended mid-action on slender rods, creating a sense of weightlessness and motion in a carnivalesque arrangement.
Calendar 2
- ArchivedExhibitionProject 79All Living SoulsExpressed in Modern & Contemporary Fine and Popular Arts | Curated by Neville Tuli6th - 11th May 202610:30am - 7:30pmVisual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003
- ArchivedOpening PreviewProject 78All Living SoulsExpressed in Modern & Contemporary Fine and Popular Arts | Curated by Neville Tuli5th May 20266:00pm - 9:00pmVisual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110003
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Personalities
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Institutions
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