Nikki Romanello was born in Dallas, Texas. Living in the suburbs of Texas, she grew up with the longing for a more sublime ecosystem with natural bodies of water, plant life, land formations, and apparent decomposition. Collecting and handling bones and shells, as well as plant and animal remains allow her to be familiar with function, texture, form, and the fragility of natural artifacts. The desire to be near the ocean encourages her work to take specific forms.

During her first year of college she worked in a natural science lab, where she gained experience with several scientific processes including; lab prep, dissection, and plant cultivation. She received her BFA in Interdisciplinary Sculpture and a Concentration in Photography at Maryland Institute of College of Art in Baltimore. During her last two years of undergrad she devoted herself to metal sculpture. After graduating, she experienced a variety job opportunities and built a sculpture studio. Her work experience includes the Baltimore Museum of Art, Harris Rubin, New Arts Foundry, and volunteering at the University of Maryland Iron Pour. She recently graduated with an MFA in Studio Art, majoring in Sculpture from the Pratt Institute in New York. Currently, she is researching, curating, participating in shows, in a residency at Hot Wood Art Center, teaching mold making at Brooklyn Brainery, and working as a metal shop technician and teacher at 3rd Ward in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.