Born in Lancashire, England, Carrington studied art in London before moving to Paris, where she became deeply involved with the Surrealist circle. Following the outbreak of World War II, she eventually settled in Mexico City, which became her primary home and the site of her most prolific creative output for the remainder of her life.

Her work is characterized by a distinct visual language featuring hybrid creatures, alchemical symbolism, and mythological narratives. Working primarily in oil on canvas, she often explored themes of transformation, the domestic sphere, and the subconscious, blending personal autobiography with esoteric traditions.

Carrington remains a foundational figure in 20th-century art, frequently cited alongside her contemporaries in major international surveys of Surrealism. Her legacy continues to be examined through institutional retrospectives that highlight her dual identity as a British expatriate and a pivotal member of the Mexican artistic vanguard.