One of his sculptures, titled “The Final Destination,” won the 44th edition of the prestigious competition in which over 150 artists from various countries participated. The award has opened doors to various exhibitions in Italy for the artist from Loppiano. These occasions provide opportunities to communicate his vision of art and life.
Imagine that he had set up a pedestal on which he placed an elegant plexiglass cube, artistically illuminated, right at the entrance of his workshop to highlight the coveted Grolla d’Oro, recently awarded to Roberto Cipollone (known as Ciro). But those who know him well understand that he would never boast about it, much less with a display. “I put the Grolla d’Oro somewhere, but I assure you I keep it,” the 77-year-old artist from Pescara explains, almost apologetically. “The award was made by a craftsman, and I have the utmost respect for them.”
Over 150 artists from various countries participated in the 44th edition of the international art award “La Grolla d’Oro”, based in Treviso, Veneto. The competition is divided into painting, sculpture, and photography sections. Ciro won in the “sculpture” category, ahead of 36 colleagues, with a work titled “The Final Destination”, depicting a crowded boat of immigrants facing the sea towards freedom from poverty and war. The participants’ works were exhibited from December 9th to 31st last year at the picturesque Santa Caterina art museum in the city of Treviso.
Ciro’s participation in this competition was entirely original. The artistic director of “La Grolla d’Oro,” Massimo Zanta, had come across some of the artist’s works at an art exhibition in Longarone, 80 kilometers north of Treviso, some time ago. He was particularly impressed, describing each of those sculptures as “a poetry that reaches the heart.” The deadline for registration for the 2023 edition of La Grolla had already passed, but Zanta insisted with the prize committee to include one of Ciro’s works. And that sculpture won the award, which was announced in January.
The grolla has a high symbolic value. It is a friendship cup used in the Aosta Valley, made of walnut wood and equipped with spouts, which is passed around among a group of friends to enjoy a hot drink, usually consisting of coffee and flavored grappa. This recognition has further increased Ciro’s visibility, and proposals for additional exhibitions have come in.
From March 11th to 24th, about thirty of his works were exhibited again in Treviso. “There were a lot of people coming in, and the exhibition was very much appreciated,” reports Rossano Orsini, Ciro’s collaborator. “Visitors bought a good number of artworks. But, as always, the exhibition became an opportunity to talk about the spirit that animates Ciro’s life.” From April 25th to May 1st, a booth at the International Handicrafts Exhibition in Florence. From April 20th to June 30th, a solo exhibition in Bressanone (Bolzano). From May 11th to 22nd, in an art gallery in Mestre (Venice). Since the beginning of the year, exhibitions have also taken place in Genoa, Arezzo, Forlì, and Modena.
Ciro’s works often produce surprising effects. Orsini emphasizes, “Visitors are struck by the logic of giving life and meaning to discarded objects, of his art that expresses profound values. They send thanks and write letters. And Ciro sees all this as a precious and spontaneous opportunity to proclaim his vision of life.” Furthermore, with his indomitable enthusiasm, he willingly participates in social initiatives. Last year, from October 7th to 22nd, his works were exhibited at the “Scarti, da rifiuto a risorsa” Exhibition in Pontassieve (Florence). On July 27th, Ciro will present some of his creations in San Godenzo at the “Festa della battitura del grano,” invited to support the project of recovering the model forests of the Florentine mountains, with the aim of creating a didactic approach to reuse and recycling.
