Kenny Scharf

From 29 September 2026 to 17 January 2027, the Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum will host an exhibition devoted to Kenny Scharf, a leading member of New York’s East Village art movement in the 1980s and a pioneer of contemporary street art, alongside Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, and his mentor, Andy Warhol. As part of the programme devoted to the Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection, the Museum presents an exhibition focusing on the work of Kenny Scharf (Los Angeles, 1958). His work includes references to popular culture and surrealism combined with fantastical anthropomorphic figures. His compositions and bright colour palette create an immersive experience. Kenny Scharf’s work in painting, sculpture, installations, murals, performance and fashion reflects a firm commitment to the creation of dynamic art forms that challenge the established artistic hierarchies, in line with the philosophy of pop creators. It is worth highlighting that his artistic relevance goes beyond this movement as he coined the term “pop surrealism” to describe his unique style. The artist’s participation in the 1985 Whitney Biennial marked the start of his international recognition, a reputation that continues to grow today as his works form part of the collections held by leading museums in the United States, Brazil, Germany, Netherlands and Japan, among others. Image Credit: Kenny Scharf. Junglematic, 2023. Blanca and Borja Thyssen-Bornemisza Collection