The award ceremony for the winners of Aluminium beneath the surface , the 11th edition of the COMEL Vanna Migliorin Arte Contemporanea Award, the international competition that rewards the artistic and creative use of aluminium, took place on Saturday 26 November.

The 2024 edition with its theme invited participants to go beyond appearances, to aim for the heart of things and its most hidden authenticity. The artists responded in a varied, very intimate manner, entering works mostly created on the occasion of the Prize, resulting in a modern, high-level closing exhibition.

Giorgio Agnisola, an art critic and writer, as well as artistic director of the event and president of the jury, together with Bruna Esposito, internationally renowned artist, and juror at the Venice Biennale, proclaimed the winner of the COMEL 2024 Prize: Robert Hromec, author of the work ‘Rebirth IV’. The jury also awarded special mentions to four artists: Sasho Blazes for the work ‘Underwater’, Maria Elena Bonet for ‘13th Bozzolo’, Gianluigi Ferrari for ‘Come in cielo così in terra’ and Dimitar Minkov for ‘Underdog’.

The COMEL Audience Award was also awarded, which went to James Harris author of ‘Strato Lucido’ and Rosy Losito for ‘Indizi II’, ex aequo.

In a crowded COMEL Space, the ceremony took place in an emotional and lively atmosphere attended by many insiders, including scholars and artists, but also many passionate citizens who have been following the COMEL Award for years and recognise its important role in the art world, not only in Italy but throughout Europe.

Also present at the ceremony was Slovakia’s ambassador to Italy, Karla Wursterová, who honoured the competition’s winner with her presence. Her words were very heartfelt and important, emphasizing that on the very day when her country celebrates 35 years since the liberation from the communist regime, Robert Hromec wins an international competition in Italy with a work that speaks of rebirth, a powerful sign of Slovakia’s modernity and openness.

An afternoon in the name of Art that unites and offers an opportunity for cooperation between different countries and realities, beyond any linguistic or otherwise barriers. An afternoon celebrating aluminium art and the desire to be together, as has become a COMEL Award tradition.

Looking forward to the 2025 edition, the organisers greet and thank all those who have participated and followed the competition throughout this long year together.

The 13 finalists:

Sasho Blazes (Ohrid, Macedonia); Maria Elena Bonet (Minsk, Belarus/Sant’Elia Fiumerapido, FR, Italy); Massimo Campagna (Naples, Italy); Stefania De Angelis (Rome, Italy); Rebecca Diegoli and Francesca Vimercati (Pavia and Besana in Brianza, Italy); Gianluigi Ferrari (Altilia, CS, Italy); James Fausset Harris (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia/Carrara, MS, Italy); Robert Hromec (Bratislava, Slovakia); Rosy Losito (Bari/Latina, Italy); Dimitar Minkov (Pleven, Bulgaria); Gloria Rustighi (Massa, MS, Italy); Karolina Stefańska (Krakow, Poland); Achilles Vasileiou (Athens, Greece).