The Palazzo Strozzi Foundation, located in the renowned Renaissance palace, is acclaimed for its iconic exhibitions. From March 16 to July 20, 2025, it will host "Sex and Solitude", the largest exhibition ever held in Italy dedicated to one of the most notable and influential British artists in contemporary art.

Curated by Arturo Galansino, Director General of the Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi, this exhibition showcases over 60 works by Tracey Emin. Featuring paintings, drawings, film, photography, embroidery, appliqué, sculptures, and neon installations, the show explores themes of sex and solitude throughout her career. Many pieces are displayed in Italy for the first time, including new works created specifically for this exhibition.

Renowned for her direct and unfiltered approach, Tracey Emin creates art that transforms intimate and private moments into existential metaphors reflecting themes such as sexuality, illness, loneliness, and love. Through honest and highly autobiographical exploration, Emin translates personal experiences into impactful works. Her famous neon phrases employ direct and explicit language that complements the strong materiality of her paintings and sculptures.

Tracey Emin DBE RA was born in 1963 in Croydon, London, and grew up in the coastal town of Margate. Over the course of her career, she has developed an artistic practice that ranges from drawing, painting, tapestries, embroidery, film, bronze sculptures and neon installations. The artist draws inspiration from her own life, referring to deeply intimate experiences: from her sexual history to the abuse she suffered, from abortion to emotional relationships, up to, more recently, cancer and the challenges related to her health.

In 1999 she attracted huge media attention when she was nominated for the Turner Prize and exhibited My Bed at the Tate Gallery in London. Since then, Emin's career has seen constant growth: in 2007 she represented the United Kingdom at the 52nd Venice Biennale and in 2011 she was appointed Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy, becoming one of the first two women to hold this role in the history of the institution.

Today Emin is widely recognized at an institutional level. She recently opened the Tracey Karima Emin (TKE) Studios in Margate, a professional space for artists funded entirely by her, which also includes the Tracey Emin Artist Residency (TEAR), a free studio artist residency.

In 2024 she was awarded the title of "Dame" as part of the prizes awarded on the occasion of the king's birthday, in recognition of her contribution to art.

Starting from March 2025, an open ticket for the Sex and Solitude exhibition will be available for purchase on Destination Florence. This ticket allows one entry, with the option to choose a preferred date and time during the exhibition period. It can also be given as a gift!