During our recent trip to Florence, MIA Art Collection reaffirmed its commitment to advancing equality in the arts while participating in the XV Florence Biennale.
Equality must remain a central axis of the art ecosystem; women represent 52 percent of the global population, yet continue to be a minority in museums, galleries, fairs and institutions. This reality demands reflection, dialogue and structural change. We warmly thank Alejandra Castro Rioseco for inviting Female Arts in Florence to her talk, creating a moment of genuine connection among women who believe in the transformative power of art. Her MIA Art Collection continues to celebrate female talent worldwide, bringing together artists and curators under one shared vision: to expand space for sensitivity, freedom and authentic beauty.
As part of our MIA FRIENDS experience in the city, we were welcomed by Stefania Ricci, Director of the Ferragamo Museum. She not only guided us through the historical narrative of the museum and the extraordinary vision of Salvatore Ferragamo, but also opened private family spaces normally inaccessible to the public. Her generosity offered our members a rare and intimate encounter with one of Italy’s great creative legacies, an experience they will never forget.
Another highlight of our journey was an exclusive visit to the Sant’Orsola convent, usually closed to the public and opened especially for our group. This remarkable site, historically linked to studies identifying the tomb of the woman believed to be the “Mona Lisa,” hosted the exhibition The Rose That Grew From Concrete, curated by Morgane Lucquet Laforgue. Her thoughtful and sensitive curatorial approach illuminated the dialogue between heritage and contemporary creation, offering a profound reflection on memory, identity and renewal.
The exhibition featured works by Chiara Bettazzi, Bottega Bianco Bianchi Scagliole, Mireille Blanc, Bianca Bondi, Davidovici & Ctiborsky, Marion Flament, Federico Gori, Beate Höing, Flora Moscovici, Chris Oh, Elise Peroi, Clara Rivault and Shubha Taparia.
Florence reminded us once again that art is not only a cultural expression but a force capable of reshaping narratives, revealing hidden histories and generating the future.
