For the “Leading Artists” section, we focus on the MAXXI Bulgari Prize. Monia Ben Hamouda won the victory in the fourth edition. We also see who won the prestigious prize in previous awards. What were the triads of finalists selected over the years?
Who won this year
Monia Ben Hamouda won the fourth edition of the MAXXI Bulgari Prize, as was announced on January 17th. Her work Theology of Collapse (The Myth of Past) I – X combines painting and sculpture. The culture of the Middle East flourishes, furthermore, thanks to the inspiration drawn from Islamic calligraphy and the use of spices.
What is the MAXXI Bulgari PRIZE
The award was established in 2018 through the initiative of MAXXI – National Museum of 21st Century Arts in Rome – and the Bulgari maison. The goal is to support and promote contemporary art represented by young artists. In summary, the award aims to be recognized like the more well-known older siblings: the Turner Prize in the United Kingdom and the Premio Duchamp in France.
The winning work of Monia Ben Hamouda
Theology of Collapse (The Myth of Past) I – X, as indicated by the numbering, is composed of ten iron panels. Laser-cut, they are decorated with ornamental elements inspired by the elegance of Islamic calligraphy and the abstract motifs of mosques. Additionally, the painting is achieved using spices such as paprika, hibiscus, and cinnamon. The artist, speaking about her work, focuses on the idea of collapse. What drove her to create this large wall was the desire to create a physical space with voids and solids, an erosion of the contemporary moment in which she feels she is situated. She quotes a phrase by Marcel Duchamp “Artworks inside museums go to die”. Hamouda wants to subvert this trend. How? By bringing the museum into her work and not vice versa.
Who were the other finalists and the jury of the MAXXI Bulgari Prize
The finalists of the fourth edition of the MAXXI Bulgari Art Prize, in addition to Monia Ben Hamouda, were Riccardo Benassi (Cremona, 1982) and Binta Diaw (Milan, 1995). Their works that were in the running for the prize are exhibited in the Sala Gian Ferrari of the Museum until March 2, 2025.
The jury that selected the finalists was composed of: Andrea Lissoni – artistic director of the Haus der Kunst in Munich-; Diana Campbell – artistic director of the Samdani Art Foundation based in Dhaka and chief curator of the Dhaka Art Summit -; Francesco Stocchi – artistic director of the MAXXI in Rome since 2023, previously curator of the Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam-; Nicolas Bourriaud – renowned art critic, theorist of Relational Aesthetics -; Ute Meta Bauer – German curator now director of the Saudi Arabia Art Biennale and Founding Director of the NTU Centre for Contemporary Art Singapore.
Alessandra Ferrini wins the MAXXI Bulgari Prize in 2023
In 2023, Alessandra Ferrini (Florence, 1984) won the MAXXI Bulgari Art Prize. Gaddafi in Rome: Notes for a Film became part of the MAXXI Arte Collection, as previously did the works of Diego Marcon and Tomaso De Luca. In her research, Ferrini focuses on the study of the legacies of colonialism and Italian fascism. She investigates how national identity is communicated by the organs of power. She analyzes, in particular, how information and the way it is conveyed influence – mitigating or emphasizing, manipulating or distorting the facts – the understanding of geopolitical events. The work references the first official visit to Italy by Muammar Gaddafi in 2009. The occasion was the signing of the Treaty of friendship, partnership, and collaboration between Italy and Libya. It starts, however, from the communication of the historical event by media like Repubblica.
Who were the other finalists and the jury in 2023
The triad of finalists was composed of Namsal Siedlecki (Greenfield, USA 1986, lives and works in Seggiano) and Silvia Rosi. The latter is a photographer born near Reggio Emilia, in 1992, who lives and works between San Cesario sul Panaro (Modena), Lomé (Togo), and London.
The jury was composed of Hoor Al Qasimi – President and Director of Sharjah Art Foundation –, Chiara Parisi (Director of Pompidou-Metz), Dirk Snauwaert (Director of WIELS Contemporary Art Centre), Hou Hanru – artistic director of MAXXI Rome from 2013 to 2023 – and Bartolomeo Pietromarchi – now director of MAXXI Aquila.
Who won the first editions of the award
Alessandra Ferrini won in 2023. The first edition, in 2018, was won by Diego Marcon (Busto Arsizio, 1985). The other finalists were Talia Chetrit and Invernomuto. The CGI (computer-generated imagery) video Ludwig, lasting one minute, repeats in a loop showing the animation of a child in the hold of a ship in a storm. The little one sings a song while trying to light a match, an allusion to the dim idea of hope.
Tomaso De Luca (Verona, 1988) won, instead, the second edition. He was in the company of the finalists Giulia Cenci (Cortona, 1988) and Renato Leotta (Torino, 1982). De Luca reflects on the problem of Gentrification with the work A Week’s Notice in which maquettes of houses collapse before our eyes.
She has collaborated for many years with art magazines such as Artribune, XIBT Contemporary, ArtApp, Insideart and Espoarte, preferring contemporary art in its many facets and media drifts.
