Kenny Scharf

As part of the programme devoted to the Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, the museum is presenting an exhibition on Kenny Scharf (born Los Angeles, 1958), a prominent member of the East Village art movement in New York in the 1980s and a pioneer of contemporary urban art, alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Hering and his mentor, Andy Warhol. 

Scharf’s work features constant references to popular culture and Surrealism, combined with fantastical anthropomorphic figures. His ecstatic compositions and dazzling palette create an immersive experience that is simultaneously intimate and innovative. 

The artist’s output in the form of painting, sculpture, installations, murals, performance and fashion reflects a commitment to creating dynamic art forms that question and deconstruct established artistic hierarchies, in line with the Pop Art philosophy. Nonetheless, Scharf’s artistic significance transcends that movement, and he himself coined the term "Pop Surrealism" to describe his unique style. 

Kenny Scharf's participation in the 1985 Whitney Biennial marked the start of his international recognition, a profile that has continued to grow to the present day. His work is represented in leading museum collections in the United States, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands and Japan, among others.