John Mezzini’s series of portraits in “Noctum” explores themes of individual expression and the deification of the self. The artworks are based on photographic collaborations with local photographers and models, as well as non-referenced drawings. The series examines the deep psychological connection with the pose and innermost private movements. The poses are influenced by medieval, baroque, and Renaissance paintings, contrasted with a focus on contemporary models selected for their confidence and individuality. Mezzini’s paintings reveal the meaningful search for the perfection of our outer persona, internal experience, trust in one another, and pleasure, all in the hours of the cool, calm darkness.

The compositional process allowed the artist to use light and colour to represent the abstract elements, with the intention of moving the viewer into the pattern of the chosen pose. By incorporating input from subjects, studio photography, and drawings, the artist unified the material and form of all the paintings into a coherent theme and statement. These works were all created using oil paint to achieve a visceral skin and light quality influenced by various sources. Approaching figure and expression style from an abstract perspective offers a new and unfamiliar visual treatment of the subject matter.

In the last few years, Mezzini has rediscovered the process of making art. He strived to reinvent himself initially, working within his previous area of experience, which was abstract art. Believing that artistic evolution is paramount, he shifted his studies from abstraction to figurative art and pursued a different motif with these pieces. Each year, he completely changed every part of his approach in this series to strengthen his chosen theme.