Tvboy's Street Art Blitz in Rome: Pope Francis and Trump Kiss
On May 10, 2017, four poster artworks were installed by street artist Tvboy (Salvatore Benintende) in central Rome, with assistance from journalists at Corriere della Sera. The artworks featured 'SuperFrancisco', 'Franciscvs Totti VIII Rex Romae', 'Wonder Virginia', and 'Il Buono perdona il cattivo', which portrayed Pope Francis kissing Donald Trump, igniting controversy. In the piece, the Pope, adorned in white robes and a halo, contrasts with Trump, who is depicted with horns. This installation came ahead of their scheduled meeting on May 24. Based in Barcelona, Tvboy characterized the kiss as a representation of reconciliation between good and evil and mentioned his 'Love is blind' series and the influence of Oliviero Toscani.
Key facts
- Tvboy installed four posters in Rome on May 10, 2017.
- The posters were placed in via della Pace, piazza del Fico, via dell'Anima, and via del Banco di Santo Spirito.
- The most controversial poster shows Pope Francis kissing Donald Trump.
- The Pope is depicted with a halo, Trump with horns and a red cloak.
- The belt reads 'Il Buono perdona il cattivo'.
- Trump and Pope Francis were scheduled to meet on May 24, 2017 in Rome.
- Tvboy is from Palermo and lives in Barcelona.
- The face of Pope Francis was removed from the poster days later.
- Tvboy's 'Love is blind' series includes a Clinton-Trump kiss from 2016.
- He also created a Messi-Ronaldo kiss in Barcelona on April 23, 2017.
- Tvboy cites Oliviero Toscani and the East Side Gallery as influences.
- He started graffiti at 16 as Crasto, switched to stencil in 2004, and became Tvboy.
Entities
Artists
- Tvboy
- Salvatore Benintende
- Oliviero Toscani
- Michelangelo
Institutions
- Corriere della Sera
- Ef Arte & Collection
- El Periodo
- East Side Gallery
- Artribune
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- via della Pace
- piazza del Fico
- via dell'Anima
- via del Banco di Santo Spirito
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Milan
- Passeig de Grácia
- Catalonia