From a reflection on the tradition of marriage, as well as its association with concepts such as women's intimacy and virginity, Joana Vasconcelos created The Bride. The format is that of a conventional chandelier whose crystal pendants have been replaced by approximately 14,000 OB tampons provided by Johnson & Johnson. Selected in 2005 for the opening room of the first exhibition curated by women in the history of the Venice Biennale, the artwork drew international attention to the Portuguese artist, who became known as the "tampon artist" for a long time. Purchased by the António Cachola Collection, it is on view at the Contemporary Art Museum in Elvas when it is not traveling the world, previously displayed in Bilbao, Paris, Rotterdam, Budapest, Istanbul or São Paulo. Regarded as a controversial work – it has been censored in some institutions, such as the Palace of Versailles – The Bride remains Joana Vasconcelos' piece de résistance.