Born in Australia and raised in Nigeria, Nnenna Okore developed her artistic practice by observing the domestic labor and traditional craft techniques of local Nigerian women. She later pursued formal education in the United States, where she established her career as a sculptor and educator, currently serving as a professor at North Park University in Chicago.

Okore is recognized for her labor-intensive process, which involves manipulating materials such as flotsam, discarded objects, and plant-based bioplastics. Through repetitive actions like twisting, rolling, and sewing, she transforms these materials into intricate, organic forms that evoke the textures of nature.

Her work has been exhibited internationally in various museums and galleries. She has received significant recognition for her contributions to contemporary sculpture, including being named a Fulbright Scholar and receiving the Creative Victoria Award.