Ninni Pagano (1969) - Anima Mundi

Biography

Biografía of Ninni Pagano

N born in Catania in 1969, Ninni Pagano initially pursues scientific studies, a background that will influence the precision and structure of his future works. His approach to the art world takes shape through the study room of maestro Antonio Sciacca, with whom he shares a view of art as a bridge between different eras.

The Poetics: "The Cabinet of Wonders"
The search of Pagano is closely tied to the concept of Wunderkammer (Cabinet of Wonders). His works are often conceived as mental spaces where they merge:

Classicism and Pop: Elements of Greek and Renaissance statuary are reinterpreted with dense colors and contemporary symbolisms.
Alchemy and Philosophy: The artist investigates the enigma of existence through dream figures (such as his famous "Swan Women") and hermetic references.
Matter: He uses mixed powders to obtain a chromatic compactness that gives the canvases a nearly sculptural dimension.

Achievements and Recognitions
Although his career on the exhibition scene fully took off around 2011, he rapidly reached internationally significant milestones:
Venice Biennale: He exhibited at the 56th edition (2015) within the show "Grazie Italia" at the Guatemala Pavilion.
Rome Triennale: Participation in the Visual Arts Triennial Exhibition in 2014.
Publications: His work is included in Mondadori’s Catalogo d'Arte Moderna (CAM) and in De Agostini’s Atlante dell'Arte Contemporanea.

International Presence: His works have been shown in prestigious venues such as the Altes Dampfbad Museum in Baden-Baden, Germany and at the Art Market in Budapest.
In addition to being a painter and sculptor, Pagano is a connoisseur of antique art. This passion is reflected in the way he "recovers" the past, not to copy it, but to transform it into a grotesque and fascinating language that speaks of the contradictions of modern humanity.

Anima mundi
In 2016 I watched a documentary on Maya women "No son invisibles" which later led me to create this work.. The film shows how these women, despite their efforts and work, are exploited while remaining on the margins of society, a discourse still valid today and not only for them... The statement "they are not invisible" means recognizing one’s presence, one’s value and one’s ability to influence the surrounding world, rejecting the state of isolation, insignificance, and passivity often associated with the feeling of being invisible. It means reclaiming one’s individuality and responsibility, the capacity to act, transforming inner suffering into a resource and a strength. One must see the world or the universe as a sentient entity (like the Anima Mundi) so that one’s consciousness and being have a place and function within this cosmos, so they are not a lost shadow in the void.

Instagram:@ninnipagano