Monia Ben Hamouda Wins 4th Edition of Maxxi Bvlgari Prize for "Theology of Collapse"
Italian-Tunisian artist Monia Ben Hamouda has been awarded the 4th edition of the Maxxi Bvlgari Prize for her project "Theology of Collapse (The Myth of Past) I-X" (2024). The award ceremony took place on Friday, January 17, in the Carlo Scarpa hall of the National Museum of 21st-Century Arts (Maxxi) in Rome. Her work will now be part of the permanent collection of Maxxi Bvlgari, according to the Ansa agency.
Born in Milan in 1991, Monia Ben Hamouda explores the richness of her intercultural identity through her work. Inspired by her Italian and Tunisian origins, she reinterprets traditional aesthetic codes through a process of symbolic reinterpretation.
"Theology of Collapse" is an installation composed of ten laser-cut iron panels, adorned with motifs inspired by Islamic calligraphy and mosque architecture. The panels, painted with mixed techniques incorporating spices such as paprika, cinnamon, and hibiscus, are hung upside down on the wall, evoking a curtain that is both imposing and fragile. The ensemble prompts reflection on the decline of cultural and religious structures, while questioning the fragility of contemporary identities.
An international jury praised the artist's approach for her integration of traditional and modern technologies, as well as her ability to rethink the museum space and address the challenges of our time with depth and creativity.
In parallel, Monia Ben Hamouda will participate in an artistic residency at the American Academy in Rome and collaborate with an artist selected by the Whitney Biennial. This edition of the Maxxi Bvlgari Prize also marked the launch of a new scholarship in partnership with the Whitney Museum and the American Academy in Rome.
