Born in Durban, South Africa, Tracey Rose studied at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, where she earned a Master of Fine Arts. She emerged as a significant voice in contemporary South African art during the late 1990s, gaining international attention for her unflinching approach to body politics and cultural history.

Her practice frequently utilizes her own body as a primary medium, often incorporating elements of satire and ritual to challenge societal norms. Through video, photography, and live performance, she interrogates the complexities of the South African experience, often referencing historical and religious iconography to deconstruct power structures.