Monika Mann was born in the Rhineland, West Germany in 1961, and was educated at the Freie Universität Berlin. From 1980 to 1986 she was involved in photography and film making in Berlin, San Francisco and New York.

Relocating to Los Angeles in 1988, Monika worked as a calligrapher, tile designer and painting instructor at several ceramic design studios. Her group and solo exhibitions of porcelain sculpture include Burbank Creative Arts Center and Barnsdall Art Center, Hollywood.

Monika has resided on the Big Island of Hawaii for the last 26 years, teaching and practicing her unique blend of ceramics, mixed-media sculpture, photography and painting. Exploration and innovation are motivating factors in her work. She draws her artistic expression from her emotional side.

Monika has won numerous awards at various art exhibitions in the state. She has been instructing ceramics at the Hawaii Community College/UH Hilo since 2003.