Marco Mazzoni

New York City

Combining organic shapes and textures with chiaroscuro contrasts in light and shadow, Mazzoni’s colored pencil drawings portray isolated female faces with features framed by flora and fauna. Striking a delicate balance between portrait and still life, the artist often obscures the eyes of his subjects with the wings of birds and butterflies or the leaves and petals of floral studies.

Mazzoni’s imagery references herbalist traditions and Sardinian folklore of mystical seductresses who enchant, curse and cure. His body of work is a tribute to the legacy of female healers throughout history. These women held an important role in medieval communities yet their ancient knowledge of the natural healing properties of medicinal plants was widely feared by the Church, viewed as witchcraft and cause for persecution.

For his current exhibition, Mazzoni explores dark themes of social ailments currently plaguing his home country. The show title Animanera translates from Italian to mean: black soul. The imagery reflects the financial crisis and post-election political climate in Italy, with themes of poverty, injustice and power struggles.

Marco Mazzoni

Jonathan LeVine

May 18 – June 15, 2013
529 West 20th Street, 9th floor
New York, NY 10011
USA

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