Born in Tokyo, Japan, Mariko Mori initially pursued a career as a fashion model before transitioning into the fine arts. She gained international prominence in the 1990s for her elaborate photographic and video works, in which she often digitally inserted herself into futuristic, hyper-stylized environments.

Her practice is characterized by the use of high-tech production methods to explore themes of mythology, cosmic consciousness, and the digital age. She frequently employs a hybridized visual language, merging elements of pop culture and science fiction with Buddhist and Shinto motifs to create immersive, otherworldly experiences.

Mori continues to maintain a significant global presence in the contemporary art world. Her work is slated for a major solo exhibition at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo, scheduled to open in late 2026, further cementing her status as a key figure in contemporary multimedia art.