Judi Werthein was born in 1967 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and received an MA in Architecture and Urbanism from the Universidad de Buenos Aires in 1993. Aiming to defy categorization and working in vernacular forms such as manicure decals and designer sneakers, she challenges notions of national identity, economic justice, and human rights. In 2006, Werthein was commissioned by  InSite in San Diego and Tijuana (2005)to create a project that explores the geopolitics of the US/Mexican border. Brinco captured nation-wide media attention in its compassionate gesture toward illegal immigrants at a time of national debate on rights and regulation of new immigrants. Werthein was also commissioned by the Bronx Museum, in 2001, to create Manicurated, where she selected ten paintings from the museum’s collection to render as nail decals. She then hired professional manicurists to paint visitors’ nails for free. Werthein’s work has also been shown at The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield, Connecticut (2011), Manifesta 7, Trentino, Italy (2008), Tate Modern, London (2007), De Appel Arts Centre, Amsterdam (2006), InSite_05, San Diego (2005), and the 7th Havana Biennale (2000).