Within the program dedicated to the Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, the museum presents an exhibition by Kenny Scharf (Los Angeles, 1958), a prominent member of the East Village art movement in New York during the 1980s and a pioneer of contemporary urban art, alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring, as well as his mentor, Andy Warhol.
His work features recurring references to popular culture and surrealism, combined with fantastical anthropomorphic figures. His ecstatic compositions and dazzling color palette create an immersive experience that is both intimate and innovative.
Scharf’s work across painting, sculpture, installations, murals, performance, and fashion reflects a commitment to creating dynamic forms of art that challenge and deconstruct established artistic hierarchies, in line with the philosophy of Pop artists. However, his artistic relevance transcends this movement: he himself coined the term “Pop Surrealism” to describe his unique style.
Scharf’s participation in the 1985 Whitney Biennial marked the beginning of his international recognition, a reputation that continues to grow to this day, with his work now part of the collections of major museums in the United States, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, and Japan, among others.
