Original artwork description:

“The Search for Mr Noj” is a large canvas measuring approximately 210x220 cm, set on a central island in the universe of the Mr Noj congregation. The scene takes place in a docking area for the congregation’s Galleon, featuring a panorama that includes two main locations: the Petros pizzeria-restaurant, inspired by an experience the artist had on the island of Kos, and Café Coronas, a well-known bar on Via Calzaiuoli, always bustling and crowded despite its small size. The congregation’s members gather in these spots to have fun, smoke, and drink.

In the foreground on the left, we see a rare Mr Noj dressed in black, perhaps a potential heir to the congregation, sitting at a gambling table, his main source of income. Beside him, a drunken figure who has lost a substantial amount of money is slumped over the table in an act of desperation, representing the risks and uncertainties of this world.

On the right, an elderly Blue Mr Noj is examining a partially incomplete map, trying to locate the missing members of the congregation who set off in search of a treasure, adding another layer of mystery to the work.

Like a riddle, “The Search for Mr Noj” completes the narrative of the previous major work, “Mr Noj and the Titanic,” chronologically positioned before that story. Some symbols remain in the details of the painting, while other elements introduce a mystery and an enigma that the artist chooses not to fully reveal. The work also suggests a power struggle or a change within the congregation, with the buzzing of different factions and interests symbolizing a transformation. On the map held by the Blue Mr Noj, a geographic area where the narrative unfolds can be glimpsed.

Materials used:

Acrilyc colors on canvas