Born in Beirut to a Palestinian family, Mona Hatoum moved to London in 1975, where she began her artistic training at the Byam Shaw School of Art and the Slade School of Fine Art. She initially gained recognition in the 1980s for her performance art and video works, which often addressed issues of political oppression and the experience of the exile.

Her practice evolved to encompass large-scale installations and sculptures that manipulate familiar household items—such as kitchen utensils, furniture, and maps—to evoke feelings of vulnerability and surveillance. By scaling up everyday objects or rendering them dangerous, she challenges the viewer's sense of safety and domestic stability.

Hatoum remains a prominent figure in contemporary art, with her work frequently included in major international exhibitions and institutional surveys. Recent projects include site-specific installations at Hauser & Wirth Menorca and participation in large-scale group exhibitions hosted by the National Trust at Claydon House.