Joep van Lieshout (born 1963), is a Dutch artist and sculptor born in Ravenstein, The Netherlands, and founder of Atelier Van Lieshout (AVL).
Van Lieshout received his formal education and training from the Academy of Modern Art in Rotterdam (1980–1985), Ateliers ‘63 in Haarlem (1985-1987), and from the Villa Arson in Nice, France (1987).
In 1995 Van Lieshout formed the Atelier Van Lieshout (AVL) studio group in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where the company continues to design and fabricate their widely exhibited works. Atelier Van Lieshout has attained international recognition for objects-based projects that balance on the boundary between art, architecture and design.
Recurring themes in the work of AVL include self-sufficiency, power, politics, and the more classical themes of life and death. The name Atelier Van Lieshout emphasizes the fact that, although Joep van Lieshout founded and leads the collective, the work produced stems from the creative impulses of the entire team. One of his notable public artwork is Funky Bones, located in the 100 Acres: The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art and Nature Park,