Working at the intersection of photography and the conceptually-oriented approaches of performance and body art. Taking hundreds of self-portraits, each manipulated in a myriad of ways in the early 1970s, Ulay developed an approach that was novel in both method (»performative photography«) and subject matter, using the camera as a tool to investigate and modify identity, whilst exploring socially constructed issues of gender. Later on his work became demonstratively performative, resulting in performances and ground-break actions in public space. From 1976 to 1988, Ulay collaborated with Marina Abramović on numerous performative pieces; they focused on pushing the physical limitations of the mind and body and on questioning perceived masculine and feminine traits. Through their Relations works, they became indisputable icons of performance art. In the 1990s, Ulay returned predominantly to photography, critically evaluating the position of the marginalised individual in contemporary society and the vulnerability of others, addressing issues of nationalism, racism and inequality. Ulay currently lives and works between Ljubljana and Amsterdam. 
Ulay's work is featured in the collections of major art institutions around the world, such as Centre Georges Pompidou, Kunstmuseum Bern, Stedelijk Museum, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA). Recent solo exhibitions and performances have been held at Richard Saltoun Gallery, London, UK (2019), Depart Foundation, Los Angeles, CA, USA (2017); Cooper Gallery, Dundee, UK (2017); Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany (2016–2017); Fondazione Prada, Milan, Italy (2016); Musée d'Art et d'Histoire, Geneva, Switzerland (2016); Nederlands Fotomuseum, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2015); Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (2015); Tate Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom (2013); C-Space, Beijing, China (2011); and National Centre for Contemporary Arts (NCCA), Moscow, Russia (2007).