A new public art piece in Florence, Italy, is stirring up strong opinions. British artist Thomas J Price unveiled a 13-foot bronze statue of a young Black woman looking down at her phone. The piece, called Time Unfolding, was installed in March 2025 in the historic Piazza della Signoria, a place famous for Renaissance sculptures like Michelangelo’s David.
Many people have welcomed the modern artwork, while others, especially conservatives, have criticized it.
A Bold New Voice in Florence’s Historic Piazza
The statue stands tall in one of Florence’s most important squares. Facing away from famous landmarks like Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi Gallery, the piece shows a calm, everyday moment — a young woman checking her phone.
Artist Thomas J Price placed the sculpture there on purpose. His goal was to start conversations about who gets to be represented in public spaces. He wanted people to see everyday Black women in art, without stereotypes or oversexualized images.
Conservatives Push Back Against the Modern Artwork
Not everyone has embraced the new statue. Some conservative voices have called it a sign of “woke culture” invading Italy’s rich artistic history. One critic on social media described it as “woke delirium” and claimed it didn’t belong in a city known for classical beauty.
Another person tweeted, “Make art great again,” showing frustration with the changing look of public spaces. Unfortunately, some of the online criticism also turned racist, with comments questioning why a Black woman was being honored with a statue in Italy.
An Exhibition That Highlights Inclusion and Everyday Strength
Time Unfolding is part of a larger exhibition called Thomas J Price in Florence. Curated by Sergio Risalti at the Museo Novecento, the show features sculptures both inside the museum and outdoors.
Another piece, A Kind of Confidence, sits in the museum’s courtyard. Both works aim to challenge the male-dominated tradition of public statues in Italy, offering fresh images of everyday confidence, presence, and quiet strength.
Price Keeps Creating Despite the Controversy
Even with the backlash, Thomas J Price hasn’t slowed down. On April 29, 2025, he revealed another large bronze statue in New York City’s Times Square. That sculpture, titled Grounded in the Stars, shows a Black woman with braids, wearing casual clothes, standing with her hands on her hips.
Like Time Unfolding, the New York piece highlights the quiet power of Black women in everyday life. Price continues to use public art to celebrate diverse beauty and challenge outdated views of who deserves to be seen.
