Gazes
The subjects depicted are often intrusive, as I primarily aim to communicate through the gaze, which is almost always directed toward the viewer in order to establish the most direct and intimate connection possible.
Colors
The artist uses color symbolism to further emphasize his themes. Red is often used to evoke more outwardly expressible emotions such as passion, vulnerability, anger, and hatred. Black is employed to delve into the more visceral and hidden emotions, pulling the subject into the deepest, darkest state of introspection. Blue represents emotions like loneliness, sadness, and melancholy. White represents reconnection with one’s inner light.
Smiles
The frequent smiles emphasize the concept of the most visceral emotions that are repressed, and when they emerge, they leave indelible marks on the face.
Compositions
The dense vegetation that often reappears in Ozy's creations represents the confusing and fascinating human experience, in which the subjects are often immersed—sometimes at ease, other times disoriented and helpless. In general, the subject is often depicted at the center of the composition, with all attention focused on them, a concept inspired by humanism, emphasizing the centrality of the human being as the sole architect of their own life.
Cats
The cat is the essence of everything. The soul of the subject that, from an abstract figure, becomes real, accompanying us in every moment, sitting beside us.
Artistic research
Ozy's artistic research begins with a synthesis of the human figure and its surroundings, expressing social themes and focusing on humanity and its impact on modern society through bold, nervous brushstrokes. It is impossible not to mention Jean-Michel Basquiat and K.J.M, key sources of stylistic (not conceptual) inspiration during the early stages of his artistic exploration. With each piece, two-dimensionality became limiting. He began exploring three dimensions while maintaining the same painting technique, but more importantly, he delved deeper into the emotional sphere of the human soul.
The artist strives not to impose any stylistic limits on himself, but instead aims to be as free as possible. He believes that this is the key to developing a completely unique and recognizable style. Ozy emphasizes the brutal side of introspective thought, but not with the intention of leading viewers along a dark path—instead, he seeks to raise awareness of when such thoughts grow inside us. Everyone battles against themselves, and it is this internal conflict that leads to a greater maturity and awareness. Allowing oneself to be overtaken by emotions is the way to truly understand their essence and live peacefully with them.
His art is evocative and, at times, perhaps overly intrusive. It fully engages the viewer by immersing them in their own, often unexplored and frightening, inner self.
Territory
His city, Matera, where he still based, is a city rich in history and melancholic beauty. It is impossible not to be captivated and amazed by the noisy silence that echoes through its streets. Matera is one of the oldest civilizations, with a complex of dwellings carved into limestone rock dating back to prehistoric times. It has a remarkable history of redemption—during the early 1950s, it was labeled a ‘national shame’ due to the poor quality of life, resembling a sort of rural ‘ghetto.’
From a pictorial standpoint, being surrounded by a rocky ecosystem, primarily rich in religious art, has partially influenced his creation of ancestral and evocative art, full of symbolism, as well as the materiality of his works. Pronounced crusts of color, engravings, and scratches are often present. He enjoys giving three-dimensionality to the canvases, conveying meaning through the surface itself. The greatest influence he draws comes mainly from the emotions it evokes: melancholy, solitude, and boredom, for example, are recurring themes in his works. Matera represents a feeling of being suspended in a limbo between primordial origins and the future.