The Palazzo Strozzi Foundation, located in a Renaissance palace in Florence, is known for its exceptional exhibitions. From March 16 to July 20, 2025, it will present „Sex and Solitude,“ the largest exhibition in Italy dedicated to British artist Tracey Emin (born 1963), curated by Arturo Galansino.

„Sex and Solitude“

Tracey Emin is recognized as one of the most significant contemporary artists today. With over sixty historical and new works, the „Sex and Solitude“ exhibition offers an in-depth exploration of Emin’s autobiographical pieces, focusing on themes of desire, pain, and memory.

The title of the exhibition reflects two key aspects of Emin’s work: the body and sexuality, as well as solitude and vulnerability.

This thematic exhibition traces her career from the 1990s to the present day, featuring a range of mediums, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, videos, and installations. Emin’s use of various materials and techniques—from embroidery to bronze, and neon to canvas—allows her to translate personal experiences into universal themes through a direct visual language.

“Every image has first entered my mind, traveled through my heart, my blood—arriving at the end of my hand. Everything has come through me,” states Emin.

Biography

Tracey Emin was born in 1963 in Croydon, London, and grew up in Margate. Her work encompasses drawings, paintings, tapestries, embroidery, film, bronze sculptures, and neon signs.

Emin’s art often draws on her own life experiences, addressing topics such as sexual history, abuse, abortion, gender, and relationships, along with her recent battles with cancer and disability.

In 1999, Emin gained significant attention when she was nominated for the Turner Prize and exhibited „My Bed“ at Tate Gallery in London. This piece, created during a tumultuous period, features her unmade bed surrounded by personal items, including condoms and empty bottles. Since then, Emin’s career has continued to evolve; in 2007, she represented Great Britain at the 52nd Venice Biennale while in 2011, she was appointed Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy, making her one of the first two female professors in the institution’s history.

Today, Emin’s work is widely recognized within institutional settings. She has recently established the Tracey Karima Emin (TKE) Studios in Margate, a subsidized professional artist’s studio that includes a free art school program called the Tracey Emin Artist Residency (TEAR). In 2024, Emin received a Damehood in the King’s Birthday Honours for her contributions to art.