Ben Vautier (1935–2024), known simply as Ben, was a pioneering French-Swiss conceptual artist and a central figure in the Fluxus movement. Born in Naples and based in Nice, Ben developed a bold, irreverent style that blurred the boundaries between art and life. Entirely self-taught, he embraced performance, installation, and visual art—but is best known for his iconic handwritten text pieces: short, sharp, and often provocative phrases scrawled across monochrome backgrounds.

Guided by the belief that “everything is art,” Ben constantly challenged ideas of authorship, originality, and meaning. He famously signed everyday objects, works by other artists—even his own body—as a radical gesture against the elitism of the art world.

With wit, simplicity, and philosophical depth, Ben’s work invites reflection while breaking rules. A vital voice in contemporary art, he remained active and fiercely independent throughout his life, using language as both material and message.

Today, Ben’s legacy endures through his instantly recognizable text works, which continue to provoke thought, amuse, and inspire across generations.