Joana Vasconcelos, a Portuguese artist, was born in 1971 and is known for her works which, with humor and irony, question several aspects of society such as the status of women, consumer society, among others. Joana Vasconcelos’ projects challenge traditional notions of art by using unusual materials and large-scale installations that catch the eye of the beholder and create a certain reflection.
Joana Vasconcelos trained at the Ar.Co-Centro de Arte e Comunicação Visual in Lisbon, and developed skills that later shaped her own style. Vasconcelos incorporated various elements of popular culture, industry and craftsmanship into her works and created a distinctive fusion that has become her trademark.
Themes and influences
Joana Vasconcelos works are characterized by their exploration of subjects such as identity, gender, power and tradition. The artist uses industrial materials and objects to transform them into complex sculptures with a humorous tone. Her colors and decoration are often influenced by elements of Portuguese culture.
The Bride
One of the artist’s most iconic works. The Bride is a chandelier made entirely of tampons. The work explores various cultural and societal themes, such as femininity, hygiene and other taboos associated with women’s bodies. The tampons are exposed in full light and transform into something dazzling, and this transformation creates a dialog about the nature of materials and the way society values different objects. The bride also evokes the traditional role of women in wedding contexts and invites reflection on the female role in society.
