Born in Turin, Italy, Carol Rama was a self-taught artist who began painting in the mid-1930s. Despite beginning her practice early, she remained relatively obscure until the 1980s, when curator Lea Vergine featured her work in a landmark exhibition. This recognition prompted Rama to return to her earlier watercolor style, marking a significant shift in her public profile and artistic trajectory.

Rama’s work is characterized by its unflinching focus on the body, utilizing a diverse range of media including painting, rubber, and found objects. Her signature themes often centered on female sensuality and the complexities of sexual identity, challenging conventional aesthetic boundaries of the mid-20th century.

In recent years, her legacy has seen a significant resurgence in institutional and commercial interest. In 2026, Hauser & Wirth announced global representation of her estate in collaboration with Galerie Isabella Bortolozzi, with plans for a major solo exhibition in New York. Her contributions to modern art were formally acknowledged with the Venice Biennale Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement.