The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Giuseppe Finocchiaro, Consul-General, Italian Consulate (Dubai); Paolo Glisenti, Italy’s Commissioner General for Expo 2020 Dubai; Jean Christophe Babin, Group CEO of Bulgari; Lucia Boscaini, Brand Curator at Bulgari; Her Excellency Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture; and Dr Saeed Mubarak bin Kharbash, CEO of the Arts and Literature Sector at Dubai Culture.

A panel of three experts — Giuseppe Moscatello, Nujoom Alghanem and Patricia Millns FRSA — visited the exhibition held from 3 to 8 February at the Van de Goudenberg Art Gallery in the Dubai International Financial Centre to celebrate the participating works. Among the 15 artworks, the committee shortlisted three artists: Juma AlHaj (UAE), Dubai-based Kamal Alzubi (Jordan), and Dubai-based artist Nima Nabavi (Iranian-American), who the jury selected for the winning artwork.

Nima Nabavi received a trophy that celebrates the aesthetic and cultural dialogue between Rome and Dubai by combining a silhouette inspired by Bulgari’s iconic doorways and storefronts with architectural ornaments inspired from Dubai’s Al Fahidi and Al Shindagha Historical Neighbourhoods. The trophy was designed by Emirati designer Kamla AlOlama and produced by Asateer, an Emirati studio founded by Mohammed AlSuwaidi specialising in contemporary products that reflect the rich Emirati heritage.

The trophy uses materials with great cultural significance, a frame fabricated from the rich woods of the UAE’s national tree, Al Ghaf, an emblem of heritage and perseverance. The design also incorporates native mother-of-pearl inlaid motifs and brass.

Nima Nabavi expressed his happiness at winning the award and thanked Bulgari and Dubai Culture for giving him the opportunity to share his artistic vision. He also extended his gratitude to the experts and jury for selecting his work for the award.

The winning artwork was exhibited at the Italy Pavilion in Expo 2020. The artist was also offered the opportunity to experience Rome through the eyes of Bulgari as part of a week-long journey through the brand’s universe. He will experience the beauty of Bulgari’s colourful gems and visit the DomvsAvrea museum space in the Maison’s flagship store in Rome as well as attend workshops with Bulgari designers and exclusive tours of historical sites and cultural locations particularly linked with Bulgari’s patronage, initiatives and inspiration. In addition, the winning piece will be exhibited at venues associated with Dubai Culture and Bulgari, according to a pre-defined schedule.

Launched in July 2021, the Bulgari Contemporary Art Award opened the door for UAE national and resident artists to submit artworks under the theme ‘Beauty Connects People’ that had them creatively express how beauty connects people and how cities like Dubai and Rome are linked by their inspirational beauty and innovation.