This series of constructed ornate paintings draw on an eclectic array of Sicilian decorative sources – continuing the tradition of the arabesque in conjuring a new ornamental hybrid. The starting point was a particular ceiling design in Villa Niscemi (Palermo) – a quirky scheme that combines a mix of gilded geometry and floral embellishments.
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/niscemi.jpg?resize=654%2C555)
The second phase employed an asymmetrical format in the investigation of new pictorial spatial dynamics.
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_1_2003.jpg?resize=898%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_2_04.jpg?resize=474%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_3_04.jpg?resize=500%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_4_05.jpg?resize=451%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_5_05.jpg?resize=981%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_6_05.jpg?resize=757%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_7_06.jpg?resize=485%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_8_06.jpg?resize=819%2C700)
![](https://i0.wp.com/paulzika.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Niscemi_9_06.jpg?resize=567%2C700)