Ninni Pagano (1969) - Pensieri fluttuanti

Biography of Ninni Pagano

Born in Catania in 1969, Ninni Pagano initially pursued scientific studies, a background that will influence the precision and structure of his future works. His entry into the world of art comes through attending master Antonio Sciacca's studio, with whom he shares a vision of art as a bridge between different eras.

The Poetics: "The Cabinet of Wonders"
Pagano's research is closely linked to the concept of the Wunderkammer (Cabinet of Wonders). His works are often conceived as mental spaces where the following elements merge:

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

Achievements and Recognitions
Although his exhibition career fully took off around 2011, he quickly reached internationally notable milestones:
Biennale di Venezia: He exhibited at the 56th edition (2015) within the show "Grazie Italia" at the Guatemala Pavilion.
Triennale di Roma: Participation in the 2014 Exposition of Visual Arts.
Publications: His work is included in the Modern Art Catalog (CAM) by Mondadori and in the Atlas of Contemporary Art by De Agostini.

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 how he "recovers" the past—not to copy it, but to transform it into a grotesque and fascinating language that speaks to the contradictions of modern man.

Floating Thoughts
"Floating Thoughts" is an oil painting on canvas that captures a dreamy, highly introspective atmosphere, characteristic of magical realism.

At the center of the composition stands a half-length female figure, characterized by an elongated, elegant neck and sharp, sculptural facial features. She wears a two-tone swimming cap, red and white, and a dark swimsuit, elements that contrast with the total absence of a real aquatic environment. Her arms are folded, resting on an invisible surface in the foreground, and her hands intertwine gently. The woman's gaze, magnetic and tinged with a subtle melancholy, is directed directly at the viewer.

Around the figure, suspended against a dark, undefined background that fades from anthracite gray to deep blue, float four red koi fish. These elements are painted with vibrant colors—bright orange and white—and seem to swim through the air as if the observer were inside a fish tank or an underwater mental dimension.

Key details of the work include:

The chromatic contrast: The use of cool, somber tones for the background makes the luminosity of the skin and the bright orange of the red fish stand out.
The light: A frontal, soft light source models the body's volumes, highlighting the bone structure of the neck and face.
Symbolism: The fish are not decorative elements but represent thoughts and emotions orbiting the protagonist's mind, floating in the silence of her consciousness.

Instagram:@ninnipagano