PATRICK LOCICERO "ALL THE WORLD'S A STAGE"

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

PATRICK LOCICERO

Patrick LoCicero at work in his ephemera studio

PATRICK LOCICERO

ALL THE WORLD’S A STAGE

JANUARY 5 - 28, 2023

LoCicero begins each body of work by diving into the past, often becoming enthralled with a specific time period, image or archetype that captures his imagination. In this exhibition, the artist turned his attention toward 17th century Italy in search of visual metaphors and was captured by the stock character, Pierrot. We all know Pierrot, if not by name. He is the fool, the jester, the sad clown, the everyman, whose carefree idealism is both a blessing and a curse on his endless journey. LoCicero unravels this universal and timeless character, exploring themes of comedy, theater, travel and spectacle in this lighthearted and compelling collection. In his quintessential technique of painting with paper–what others might call collage–LoCicero uses imagery from the likes of Matisse, Monet, Cezanne, and Watteau, along with other vintage ephemera.

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The two figures here are comedic stock characters from “Commedia dell’arte” – an early form of professional Italian theater that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. These stock characters, or archetypes, came to influence entire fields of study within the visual arts and performing arts for centuries. In this work, we see the zanni, or clown, and his sidekick harlequin touring the countryside and seaside in their boats.

Arlecchino and Pedrolino, oil & collage on canvas, 34 x 60 in, $7,200.00

Pierrott, oil & collage on canvas, 41 x 51 in, $7,400.00

Beach balls float in and around a stage of red, on which father and son clowns stand. This playful and surreal image contains metaphors for the roles we play within our family, the bonds among our loved ones, and the ups and downs we experience alongside one another.

Pierrot at Giverney, oil & collage on canvas, 36 x 48 in, $6,000.00

The harlequin looks out directly at the viewer, calling for attention as he poses in the light and beauty of Monet’s lily pond at Giverny. I love to reference the past and art history from different time periods in my work because I’m intrigued with the past and the associations that can be made with aged surfaces and vintage ephemera.

Carnival, oil & collage on canvas, 40 x 30 in, $4,200.00

This painting is about the bright colored spectacle of performance, and is a little nod to Mondrian alongside Watteau’s depiction of Pierrot.

Guitar Players, oil & collage on canvas, 34 x 60 in, $7,200.00

Inspired by Jean-Antoine Watteau, the guitar player is both inside the boat as an actor, as well as on stage as an observer. The repetition of this character reminds us of the many roles we play in life, sometimes even within the same moment. It also serves as a reference to my exhibition title which is taken from a quote in “As You Like It” by William Shakespeare: “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

A potbellied character acts the part of the clown who is both charming and full of himself.

Pulcinella, oil & collage on canvas, 44 x 48 in, $7,500.00

Candida Martinelli, oil & collage on canvas, 24 x 20 in, $1,800.00

Zanni, oil & collage on canvas, 42 x 48 in, $7,000.00

Beach balls are bouncing around in this painting, portrating the madcap and eccentric personalities of clowns, jesters and harlequins. I use the energy and history of the European circus to explore a playful concoction of many different kinds of art, ranging from theater and dance, to literature and painting.

Life Line, oil & collage on canvas, 20 x 16 in, $1,500.00

Il Capitano, oil & collage on canvas, 24 x 20 in, $1,800.00

Young Harlequin, oil & collage on canvas, 24 x 20 in, $1,800.00

Serenade, oil & collage on canvas, 28 x 72 in, $7,200.00

Within a scene of lyrical collaged elements from Monet’s soft and impressionistic work, lighthearted performers serenade us with instruments of love and romance.