Born in Haslemere, England, Stuart Brisley studied at the Guildford School of Art, the Royal College of Art in London, and the Akademie der Bildenden Künste in Munich. He emerged as a significant figure in the British avant-garde during the late 1960s, moving away from traditional painting toward performance-based practices that challenged the boundaries of the art object.

His work frequently utilizes found objects, industrial materials, and his own body to create immersive, often grueling, durational performances. These installations often address political and social structures, frequently incorporating elements of abjection and visceral physical endurance to confront the viewer with uncomfortable realities.

Brisley has maintained a long-standing presence in the international art scene, with his work held in major public collections including the Tate. His practice continues to be studied for its foundational role in the development of British performance art and its persistent focus on the intersection of individual experience and collective history.