Cristina Burns Wins the II Edition of the Raffaele Pezzuti Art Prize
Permanent Installation Inaugurated at the Vanvitelli Metro Station, Naples
Permanent Installation Inaugurated at the Vanvitelli Metro Station, Naples
On September 21, 2017, Cristina Burns was announced as the winner of the second edition of the Raffaele Pezzuti Art Prize with her work Stratificazioni Antropologiche (Anthropological Stratifications). This prestigious public competition, aimed at promoting emerging talent in visual arts, was organized by the Municipality of Naples in collaboration with the Azienda Napoletana Mobilità (ANM).The large-format permanent installation was unveiled in the connecting corridor of the Vanvitelli Metro Station. The ceremony was attended by Alessandra Clemente, Naples' Councilor for Youth, alongside Alfredo Pezzuti, father of the late Raffaele Pezzuti; Marco Izzolino, the prize’s founder; and the finalists of the competition, whose works were temporarily exhibited in the newly renovated spaces of the Central Funicular. Burns's installation now joins the winning artworks from the previous edition, becoming an enduring addition to the city’s cultural landscape.
This permanent collection at the Vanvitelli Metro Station includes works by contemporary artists, designers, and architects such as Alessandro Mendini, Anish Kapoor, Karim Rashid, Michelangelo Pistoletto, and Sol LeWitt, further enhancing the station’s reputation as a hub for public art.
The Winning Work: Stratificazioni Antropologiche
Inspired by Naples’ rich multicultural heritage, Stratificazioni Antropologiche explores the city’s role as a historical crossroads of cultures and civilizations. Set in a bustling marketplace, the piece portrays overlapping, ephemeral figures symbolizing the passage of time and the interweaving of diverse identities rooted in place.
Central to the composition is a zebra, a symbol of origins in the cradle of civilization, illuminated by Chinese lanterns, while bronze sculptures of "The Runners" stride across a Roman mosaic floor. These elements interact to create a mystical atmosphere, reflecting Naples' dynamic evolution while preserving its deep-rooted identity. Through this work, Burns celebrates the city as a melting pot where history, culture, and innovation coexist, offering a unique lens through which millions have admired its spirit over the centuries.
The Prize’s Theme: Napoli Nuovo Crocevia (Naples: A New Crossroads)
The second edition of the prize explored Naples as a historical and contemporary crossroads. Since its Greek origins, the city has been a hub of cultural exchange, enriched by the traditions and knowledge of those who have called it home. The theme underscored Naples' role as a meeting point between East and West, South and North, land and sea, and its enduring legacy of embracing diversity.The city’s identity as a Mediterranean cultural bridge continues to resonate, particularly as Europe debates themes of migration and multiculturalism. Burns’s work encapsulates this ethos, paying homage to Naples as a city of profound historical and cultural stratifications.
About the Raffaele Pezzuti Art Prize
The Raffaele Pezzuti Art Prize commemorates the life and work of Raffaele Pezzuti (1972–2002), a Neapolitan artist whose career was tragically cut short. After graduating with honors from the Academy of Fine Arts in Naples, Pezzuti pursued his passion for painting, eventually achieving a mature and personal style. His story reflects the challenges young artists face in turning creativity into a career, and his legacy continues through this prize, inspiring emerging talents to embrace art as a means of transformation and resilience.
The Raffaele Pezzuti Art Prize encourages young artists to remain in Naples, channeling their creativity to enrich the city’s cultural fabric. The third edition of the competition was announced in October, continuing its mission to support and celebrate new voices in the arts.
