Born in Canterbury, England, Tacita Dean studied at Falmouth School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art in London. She gained significant international attention in the late 1990s for her film installations and drawings, leading to a nomination for the Turner Prize in 1998.

Dean is primarily recognized for her commitment to analog film, utilizing the medium to document disappearing landscapes and historical traces. Her work often emphasizes the material qualities of celluloid, creating immersive environments that invite viewers to engage with the passage of time and the fragility of the image.

Currently based between Berlin and Los Angeles, Dean continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary art. Recent institutional recognition includes her inclusion in the 2026 group exhibition at Hamburger Bahnhof, which highlights her historical connection to the museum's former studio spaces in the Rieckhallen.