Art Events, Florence

Max Mara’s ‘Time for Women!’ at Palazzo Strozzi: A Two-Decade Celebration of Female Artistic Power

Max Mara’s ‘Time for Women!’ at Palazzo Strozzi: A Two-Decade Celebration of Female Artistic Power

In a world where the art scene still grapples with gender imbalance, the Max Mara Art Prize for Women has been a beacon of empowerment for two decades, providing women-identifying artists with the resources, time, and space to create groundbreaking work. Now, in honor of its 20th anniversary, the prize’s legacy takes center stage in ‘Time for Women! Empowering Visions in 20 Years of the Max Mara Art Prize for Women’, an extraordinary exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi in Florence, running from April 17 to August 31, 2025.

A tribute to the power of female creativity, this show is far more than a retrospective; it is a living, breathing testament to the impact of sustained support for women artists. Featuring the works of nine past winners, including Laure Prouvost, Helen Cammock, and Dominique White, the exhibition takes visitors on a journey through two decades of artistic exploration—touching on themes of identity, memory, motherhood, mythology, and the evolving female experience in contemporary society.

A Legacy of Empowerment Through Art

Founded in 2005 by the Max Mara Fashion Group, in partnership with Whitechapel Gallery and later Collezione Maramotti, the Max Mara Art Prize for Women was the first visual arts prize dedicated exclusively to emerging women artists in the UK. The initiative recognized that artistic talent alone is not always enough – what’s often missing is the freedom to experiment and the financial support to take risks.

Each recipient was awarded a six-month residency in Italy, allowing them to immerse themselves in the country’s cultural, artistic, and historical landscapes, developing projects that would later be showcased at Whitechapel Gallery in London and Collezione Maramotti in Reggio Emilia. The prize has since catapulted its winners to global recognition, proving that investing in women’s creative visions is not just necessary, it’s transformative.

An Immersive Celebration of Women’s Perspectives

For the first time, the winning projects are brought together under one roof, unfolding across the stunning spaces of La Strozzina at Palazzo Strozzi. The exhibition features an array of video works, large-scale installations, sculptures, and immersive environments, creating a dynamic experience that reflects the diversity of each artist’s vision.

From the poetic explorations of Helen Cammock, who won the Turner Prize in 2019, to Emma Talbot’s dreamlike narratives, and the tactile, oceanic sculptures of Dominique White, each artist has taken their Italian residency as a springboard to push boundaries, break conventions, and redefine what it means to create as a woman today.

A Final Thought from Shari 

Great art demands more than just talent – it requires opportunity. The Max Mara Art Prize for Women has done more than recognize brilliance; it has created the conditions for it to thrive.

Walking through this exhibition, you don’t just witness 20 years of artistic evolution – you feel it. It is a powerful reminder that when women are given the space to create, they don’t just participate in the conversation; they lead it.

So if you find yourself in Florence this summer, do yourself a favor: step into Palazzo Strozzi and let ‘Time for Women!’ show you what happens when creativity is given the freedom to flourish. It’s not just an exhibition – it’s a movement.

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