Van, also known as Vanessa Alice Bensimon, was born in 1973 in Toulouse, France. She started wall-painting at the age of 20, in 1993, in the streets of her hometown. She is now considered one of the best known painters of the graffiti scene, initiating the feminine street art movement. She traveled the world to exhibit her artwork though she spent most of her artistic life in Barcelona. Her creations display highly recognizable sultry women that she calls ‘poupées’ (dolls).