They first met in Paris in 1958 when Christo, a struggling young painter who had defected to the West, was commissioned to paint a portrait of Jeanne-Claude’s mother. Within a year the two had formed an unbreakable bond, not only as lovers but as artistic collaborators.
Christo had by this time already begun to “wrap” objects and build models, which he exhibited and sold. Now, the two began to work on huge projects as a creative team (a fact that would not be publicized until 1994…until then, only Christo was credited).
In 1964 the couple moved to New York, where they settled permanently. But their artistic projects since then have taken them around the world. Their work transforms familiar landscapes or structures in unique ways, allowing the audience to experience them in a completely different way.