Orlan is a performance artist who uses her own body and the procedures of plastic surgery to make "carnal art". She is transforming her face, but her aim is not to attain a commonly held standard of beauty. Orlan is the only artist working so radically with her own body, asking questions about the status of the body in society.
Since May 1990 Orlan has undergone a series of plastic surgical operations to transform herself into a new being, modelled on Venus, Diana, Europa, Psyche and Mona Lisa.
These operations were live artist performances where she would dress up the theatre like an arena - wearing designer clothing! Orlan would only be under general anaesthetic for the surgery!!
