Edna Manley was born in Yorkshire in 1900. She studied at St Martin's School of Art. And later moved to Jamaica where she pursued her career as a sculptor. Working mainly in native wood, Manley created images that reflected Jamaica's struggle for nationhood.

She played an active role in the cultural development of the arts in Jamaica and was a founder member of the National Gallery of Jamaica.

Manley produced an enormous body of work, and continued to work right up until her death in 1987.