Joana Vasconcelos was born in Paris in 1971 but now lives and works in Lisbon. She has exhibited regularly since the mid-1990s. After her participation in the 51st International Art Exhibition– la Biennale di Venezia in 2005, her work became known internationally.
During her a solo exhibition "Time Machine" at the Château de Versailles, France (2012) she introduced the Lilicopter, a beautiful folie mix of Marie Antoinette and helicopter, past and present, feminine beauty and manly machine, fashion and technology coexisting harmoniously.
The Lilicopter exudes a sensual magnetism embodying the kind of beauty one is helplessly drawn to; it's almost alive. Far from shy, dressed up in feathers and crystals, gold and leather inside out, the Lilicopter is a unique creature close to ones heart.
The nature of Joana Vasconcelos’ creative process is based on the appropriation and decontextualisation of pre-existent objects and everyday realities. Her acute sense of scale and mastery of materials and colour challenge the perception of beauty of the quotidian.
