Anthea Hamilton has landed in Rome, and she’s inviting visitors to explore an immersive new exhibition at Fondazione Memmo titled “Soft You“. Open until November 2, 2025, this show is Hamilton’s first major institutional exhibition in the Eternal City. It’s a profoundly personal, sensorial, and artistic experience.
Shakespeare Meets Contemporary Art
Drawing inspiration directly from Shakespeare’s timeless play Othello, Anthea Hamilton cleverly borrows her exhibition title from Othello’s poignant closing monologue. Yet, the show is a profound dialogue between classic drama, Roman history, and contemporary artistic expression. Hamilton extends themes such as desire, alienation, and misunderstanding into new visual forms, allowing visitors to engage with these enduring human emotions on a personal level.
Engaging the Senses
Walking through “Soft You” feels like stepping into Anthea Hamilton’s imaginative mind.
The artist doesn’t just show you art—she surrounds you with it. Worth mentioning are her challenges to your perceptions of Leg Sculptures. These captivating sculptures, modeled after her legs, evoke a sense of dynamism and personal identity.
In an eye-catching collaboration with artisan Alice Rivalta, Hamilton presents a striking desk adorned using Rankaku, an ancient Japanese mosaic technique crafted from delicate quail eggshells.
The desk itself is intriguingly wrapped in Shibari rope, offering layers of meaning around tradition, restraint, and the interplay of cultural narratives.
In collaboration with scent designer Ezra-Lloyd Jackson, Hamilton introduces a unique fragrance titled “Cold, Cold Heart,” gently diffused through incense sticks attached to hazel branches, enveloping the space in an evocative aroma, creating an olfactory journey.
Textile sculptures combined with reflective metal screens add a tactile dimension, creating an interactive dialogue between softness and rigidity, warmth, and coolness.
A Personal Curatorial Touch
Curated by Alessio Antoniolli, the exhibition encourages an intimate exploration of Hamilton’s themes. Fondazione Memmo’s inviting space perfectly frames the thoughtful installations, making each visitor’s experience deeply personal and memorable.
Why You Should Visit
“Soft You” is more than an art show; it’s a meaningful reflection on identity and emotion told through Hamilton’s distinctive contemporary lens. Whether you’re a Shakespeare enthusiast, an admirer of innovative art, or simply someone curious about creative expressions of human emotions, this exhibition offers something profoundly relatable.
Anthea Hamilton’s “Soft You” promises an unforgettable encounter with art, history, and yourself.
