Vanessa Beecroft is an Italian contemporary artist and photographer best known for her performance art pieces. Born in 1969 in Genoa, Italy, Beecroft studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera in Milan before moving to New York City in 1994.
Beecroft's work often focuses on the female body and explores themes of gender, race, and identity. Her performances often feature large groups of nude or semi-nude women arranged in a sculptural formation. She has also created installations that explore the relationship between fashion and art.
Beecroft has exhibited her work internationally, including at the Venice Biennale, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. She has collaborated with a number of high-profile artists and designers including Kanye West, Louis Vuitton, and Prada.
In addition to her performance art pieces, Beecroft is also an accomplished photographer. Her photographs have been featured in numerous publications including Vogue Italia and Harper's Bazaar. She has also published several books of her photography including Vanessa Beecroft: Photographs (2003) and Vanessa Beecroft: Performance (2005).
Beecroft continues to live and work in New York City where she is currently developing new projects for upcoming exhibitions.