Fabian Perez is one of the most popular artists on the EzelDotz platform, with many collectors seeking out the perfect Fabian Perez limited edition to buy for their collection, or an original painting to invest in – or perhaps selling one of their works to make space for something new.
Fabian’s work lends itself to a curated collection, with many themed series that he expands on through exploration of character, setting, and mood; many of our collectors are often searching for an artwork that belongs to a particular series. One of the most popular series in Fabian’s repertoire is the classic Characters of the Night…
What is the inspiration?
This series is heavily inspired by Fabian’s unusual upbringing, in particular the enigmatic figure of his father, Antonio Perez. Antonio owned a number of nightclubs and bordellos in Buenos Aires, and Fabian has recalled his glimpses of these strange places through portraits of young, romanticised figures of men and women dressed to the nines on a night out.
Fabian has in particular been inspired by the most famous of his father’s nightclubs, “Las Brujas,” which has been the setting for many of his Characters of the Night artworks, both older and newer works.
Meeting the Characters
Based on the figures Fabian saw in the evenings at his father’s establishments, many of the characters have a seductive air to them, particularly the women. Fabian has mentioned his admiration for the way the women he witnessed at the nightclubs would use “slow, sensual movements” as part of an elegant and seductive routine; or the way a man would support his masculine image through the actions of shaving or lighting a cigarette.
While many may take issue with romanticization of rigid gender roles, by framing these actions within their original context, Fabian creates a sense of honesty in his works; these were real men and women who lived and breathed in these clubs, adhering to and celebrating these routines and actions.
“Slow, sensual movement”
Fabian’s focus on the physical actions of these figures is hardly surprising to those familiar with his preference for scenes that include the suggestion of movement. His characters of the night are rarely static, if ever. Characters are often caught in mid-motion, perhaps a woman moving to fix her hair or adjust her makeup; a man might be raising a cigarette to his lips.
The attention paid to movement also adds to the sense that the viewer is looking into a world beyond the frame, and has often led to comparisons between Fabian’s work and classic Hollywood films.
Night Lights
Chiaroscuro lighting, the strong contrast between falling light and deep shadow, characterises many of Fabian’s artworks. However, it is particularly notable in his Characters of the Night series, as every scene takes place after dark. The rich blacks, blues and browns from which his characters step suggest the warm nights of Buenos Aires, as well as providing an evocative contrast to the highlights catching the movements of each figure.
Fabian often leans into this effect even further, by dressing his characters in black dresses and suits, further emphasising the areas where light does catch – the glint of jewellery, or the edge of a shirt cuff.
Nighttime settings also allow for a great deal of creativity in directional lighting. Fabian will often use the different types of lights around his characters to create different effects, such as the broad beam of a street lamp falling past the edge of an umbrella, the red hue of a tasselled bar lamp, or the haloed glow of headlights.
Personal Passion
The affection that Fabian has for this series is clear through the way he has kept returning to it over the years, adding new portraits with new characters. At the same time, followers of his work will always recognise the archetypes that he uses to populate his scenes. In this way, Fabian perhaps has turned his memories of the nightlife of his father’s clubs into an alternate reality of sorts, with roles and scenes that everyone can enjoy playing – until the sun comes up.
Collecting Fabian Perez Characters of the Night
If you are interested in buying Fabian Perez artworks online, browse through our extensive selection of artworks that feature many classic Characters of the Night artworks, including original paintings and limited editions.
And, if you are a collector seeking to sell Fabian Perez artworks, get in touch with our team to find out how to list and sell your works.
