ART BY MARIE JOSÈ

Born and raised in San Francisco, Marie studied art briefly at the Academy of Art and later Sacramento State before graduating with a Bachelor's in Interior Architecture. Marie began painting in 2016 with the goal of visualizing black bodies in deep thought, by rendering ways emotion can affect our reality. Mostly done in acrylic or gouache, the paintings are emotionally guided and spiritually inspired works of art, acknowledging vulnerability in its various forms specifically related to the Black experience and influenced by their Nigerian heritage, spiritual upbringing, and unique lived experiences. The path toward emotional freedom and the right to self reflection are what fuels them to create works that convey multiple dimensions of emotion; using acrylic paint, decorative paper, metal mesh, and fabrics to enforce the complexity of our human nature.  The work of Marie-Josè relies on the notion that the struggle of being vulnerable with others is a relatable phenomenon, and aims to bring those feelings to the surface to promote dialogue and action. Their work has been exhibited across California including the 2020 LA International Art show, and recently featured in the HBO Series Insecure: The End 2021 documentary.

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