Ninni Pagano (1969) - Scacco matto

Ninni Pagano was born in Catania, always passionate about Wunderkammer and everything that nature offers in its beauty; this passion leads him to study with Maestro Antonio Sciacca, his master. It was 2011, and from that moment his artistic career began, increasingly gaining renown and the esteem of critics such as Aldo Albani, Roberta Filippi of the Orler gallery, Philippe Daverio, and Daniele Radini Tedeschi. In 2016 his name appears in the prestigious American guide Guide Museums Galleries Artists. After participating in 2 Triennales of contemporary art in Rome with his works published in Mondadori catalogues, in 2020 his name appears in the prestigious Atlas of Contemporary Art by De Agostini.

The work is an oil on canvas, signed and accompanied by a certificate of authenticity with the artist’s logo, characteristics of the work, and the artist’s signature at the bottom.
The colors of the painting may vary slightly from the photo due to camera settings and screen.
The work is carefully packaged with bubble wrap and cardboard.

Scacco matto
This work by Ninni Pagano, titled "Scacco matto" (checkmate series), is a fascinating example of his distinctive style that blends figurative realism, retro-futurist elements, and an almost metaphysical dreamlike atmosphere.

Here is a detailed description of the key elements:
At the center of the composition we find a female figure with a focused and absorbed, almost meditative gaze. Her most evident peculiarity is the antique deep-sea diver’s helmet she wears, rendered in warm, coppery tones. This element creates an immediate contrast: the heaviness and isolation of the helmet against the delicacy of the facial features and the fluidity of the hand gesture.
The woman is depicted while playing chess, a classic art theme that evokes intellect, strategy, and fate.
The hand is suspended over a piece (the king or queen), capturing the critical moment of decision, coherently with the title "Scacco matto".
On the table, in addition to the chessboard, recurring elements in Pagano’s poetics appear: transparent crystal spheres and geometric containers filled with water. These objects add a sense of fragility and mystery, suggesting that the game is taking place in a suspended dimension, perhaps underwater or mental. The background has a textured, earthy surface reminiscent of rusted or time-worn metal walls, emphasizing a steampunk or industrial aesthetic.
The lighting is soft but focused on the face and the chessboard, creating a strong sense of three-dimensionality and intimacy.

Interpretation
The work seems to explore the concept of intellectual isolation. The diving helmet can be seen as a metaphor for protection or the barrier the mind builds during a deep challenge. The "chess game" thus becomes an inner struggle or a challenge against the unknown, where silence and concentration are absolute.

Instagram:@ninnipagano