Jasper D'Ambrosi (1926–1986)

Michael’s Dream

Michael’s Dream was donated to the Scottsdale Public Art collection in 1996 by Ruth D’Ambrosi in memory of her husband who died in 1986. Jasper’s son, Michael, posed for the over life-sized sculpture. The title of the artwork refers to his son’s dream of finding a cure for his daughter who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, and is a tribute to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Jasper D’Ambrosi, son of Italian immigrants, was born and raised in Wilmington, California. He attended University of Southern California on a football scholarship where he studied painting. He worked nine years in the art department of Douglas Aircraft, after which he founded and operated his own printing and design business while painting and sculpting part-time. In 1970, he sold his business to become a full-time artist. D’Ambrosi died after a brief illness in 1986 due to blood cell abnormalities suspected to be caused by years of working with toxic art materials.