www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 21, 2006 - 23 Artscene Oakville Beaver · FRIDAY, JULY 21, 2006 WORK IN PROGRESS: Former Oakville artist Antonio Mirizio is pictured beside his sketch of A Thousand and One Nights II that he is currently working on in his studio in Casamassima, Italy Artist has spent a decade on unfinished masterpiece By Howard Mozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Antonio Mirizio's masterpiece -- a threeby-seven metre oil painting of a 19th century sultan's apartment -- is not only his most ambitious work to date, but also the culmination of a life dedicated to art, learning and beauty. For the last 10 years Mirizio, 81, has immersed himself in the creation of A Thousand and One Nights II, a stunningly complex and visually striking tableau that pushes the boundaries of detail, historical accuracy and patience. For instance, the painting includes a staggering 77 figures, ranging from the sultan to sword-wielding bodyguards and fanbearers. Mirizio's sight is failing so all work is accomplished using a magnifying glass. With years remaining until it's finished, however, the artist painstakingly forges ahead in his Italian studio, ever mindful of the encroachment of time. works in oils and India inks That said, during his "I want it as exact featuring lavish imagery recent return to Oakville to depicted in great detail, comvisit family, Mirizio couldn't as possible. There plete with sultans, servants, help but allow a sneak peek at will be no errors concubines and the focus of preliminary drawings for two at all. I didn't want everyone's attention, the more ambitious pieces that to make a mistake exotic and beautiful belly he also wants to complete, I would be dancer. (One common thread revealing yet again the optithroughout has been mism and drive that have ashamed." Mirizio's artistic appreciation served him well all his long Artist Antonio Mirizio of the female form in all its life. incarnations.) This adventure has taken "I was enchanted by their Mirizio from his hometown of Casamassima, Italy to study with masters, mystery," says Mirizio, who was first travel the world twice and live for extended exposed to Danse Orientale while travelling periods in England, Oakville and elsewhere. in Tangiers. For A Thousand and One Nights II, it's Along the way, he has drawn inspiration from countless cultures and has been wide- something of an understatement to say that ly reviewed and acclaimed by the world's Mirizio will go to any lengths to plan and media in eight different languages. (He complete the ambitious project. For example, upon returning home after proudly keeps clippings from Morocco to 25 years of travelling he had a studio at his the Ukraine.) Mirizio is especially fascinated by Casamassima home built to exact specificaArabian culture, as evidenced by his many tions to accommodate the huge painting including a glass ceiling to allow in natural illumination. (He left England because of its "dull" light.) Problem is, the contractor made the studio 25 cm too short to fit the piece of special linen canvas he found in Florence so this curves downward from the wall onto the floor. Mirizio's preparatory work is also legendary. Before starting, he visited a 19th century sultan's apartment in Cairo, Egypt to familiarize himself first-hand with the architecture. Trouble was, the place was in such disrepair that Mirizio had to employ his considerable imagination to see past the decay and envision it in its glory. No detail escaped his scrutiny, so Mirizio researched everything from period clothing and the placement of oil lamps to musical instruments and the kinds of delicacies seen on the tables going so far as to consult fine art and history professors in Cairo. Even social conventions of the time, like the sep See Artist's page 23 O VAL VA A % OFF ad European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship See Our Flyer in Today's Paper! The Home Entertainment Experts! 374 OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE!!! "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" 905.849.0266