KAWS at Palazzo Strozzi: between Renaissance and contemporary icons

For the first time in Italy, American artist KAWS presents a monumental installation at Palazzo Strozzi, conceived specifically for the Renaissance courtyard. The work, titled THE MESSAGE, establishes a striking conversation between contemporary art and classical tradition, a direction the Florentine institution has consistently pursued in recent years.

Curated by Arturo Galansino, director general of Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, the installation reinterprets one of the most iconic subjects in Western art: the Annunciation. The piece creates a symbolic and visual bridge with Beato Angelico: L’Alba del Rinascimento, the major exhibition currently on view at Palazzo Strozzi until January 25, 2026.

Through the lens of KAWS’s unmistakable style, bold, playful, and emotionally charged, the sacred encounter between the angel and the Virgin becomes a reflection on today’s hyperconnected world. Here, the mobile phone emerges as a key element of the scene: an everyday object transformed into a modern symbol of devotion and communication.

Known for his ability to blend popular culture, street art, and fine art, KAWS (Brian Donnelly, b. 1974, Jersey City) has become one of the most influential voices in global contemporary culture. From his early days as a graffiti artist to his collaborations with major brands and museums, he has created a visual language that speaks across generations and disciplines. His signature characters, with their expressive “X” eyes, embody universal human emotions — melancholy, fragility, empathy, and connection.

At Palazzo Strozzi, KAWS’s work takes on an added resonance. As noted during the presentation, the project embodies the institution’s mission to open the languages of art to the broadest possible audience, with a growing focus on younger visitors — now more than half of those attending exhibitions.

The installation, freely accessible in the courtyard, reinforces the artist’s belief in the democracy of art: the idea that it belongs to everyone, and that beauty and reflection can exist as much in the street as within museum walls.

“This is a work that truly thinks outside the box,” said Luigi De Siervo, president of Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi. “Projects like this clearly show the direction we are taking: opening up the languages of art to the widest possible audience, with special attention to young people.”

“Art must be available to everyone,” added Andy Bianchedi, member of the Foundation’s board. “KAWS’s installation can be freely visited in the courtyard, accessible to anyone — a choice that perfectly reflects the artist’s philosophy of breaking down barriers between museums and the public space.”

According to Maria Oliva Scaramuzzi, vice president of Fondazione CR Firenze, which supports Palazzo Strozzi, “Florentines are beginning to understand that contemporary art has an extraordinary ability to elevate the entire community.”

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