Born in Paris in 1971, Joana Vasconcelos lives and works in Lisbon.
A major figure in the contemporary art scene, she has been developing a multifaceted, daring body of work since the 1990s, deeply rooted in artisanal traditions. Her work draws on the collective imagination, Portuguese folklore, everyday objects, and popular craftsmanship, which she reappropriates and sublimates through monumental installations, often imbued with humor, sensuality, and social criticism.
She came to the attention of the public in 2005 at the Venice Biennale with her work A Noiva, and in 2012 she became the first female artist to be invited to exhibit at the Palace of Versailles. Since then, her works have been shown in major international institutions, from the Guggenheim Bilbao to the Palazzo Grassi in Venice.
Joana Vasconcelos constantly explores the link between tradition and modernity, femininity and power, art and craftsmanship. Her commitment to manual trades, the transmission and promotion of ancient techniques makes her a resolutely contemporary creator, in tune with the issues of her time. In 2013, she created the Joana Vasconcelos Foundation, which supports social causes and promotes art for all.
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