

BIO.
About
Early Life
Current Pursuits

Marjè is a self-taught artist whose journey has been shaped by a vibrant legacy of creatives. From a young age she was inspired by her mother, a dynamic playwright and community leader; maternal grandmother, Chakema, a skilled designer and muralist known for her impactful works that captured the spirit of the civil rights movements of the 1960s-70s; her late great-aunt Gail, an accomplished opera singer who toured successfully throughout Europe and made significant contributions teaching, producing theatrical productions, directing, and professionally training vocalists; and sister, an intellectual, poet, educator, and sculptor who illuminates their shared heritage. This rich tapestry of genius initiated Marjè’s understanding of the transformative power of expression.​ Despite no formal artistic training, Marjè's tenacity has driven her creative endeavors. In 2018, she took a significant step and embarked on a design program in Italy, which marked the next phase of her development. Unfortunately, her time abroad was interrupted by the onset of the pandemic, regrettably necessitating the return to her birthplace of Portland. ​​After a period of reflection, Marjè reignited to produce and refine pieces for private collection and select auctions. She is soon to present her Solo Debut Exhibition titled ‘Seven Pillars' to the public.
Creating can be challenging; it's not always comfortable. At times, you must confront that difficult thing before you can clearly express whatever is bubbling beneath the surface...
Who I'd be apart from the ability to create is inconceivable. It's in the fiber of my bones...
Marjè is a self-taught artist whose journey has been shaped by a vibrant legacy of creatives. From a young age she was inspired by her mother, a dynamic playwright and community leader; maternal grandmother, Chakema, a skilled designer and muralist known for her impactful works that captured the spirit of the civil rights movements of the 1960s-70s; her late great-aunt Gail, an accomplished opera singer who toured successfully throughout Europe and made significant contributions teaching, producing theatrical productions, directing, and professionally training vocalists; and sister, an intellectual, poet, educator, and sculptor who illuminates their shared heritage. This rich tapestry of genius initiated Marjè’s understanding of the transformative power of expression from a young age.​ Despite no formal artistic training, Marjè's tenacity has driven her creative endeavors. In 2018, she took a significant step and embarked on a design program in Italy, which marked the next phase of her development. Unfortunately, her time abroad was interrupted by the onset of the pandemic, regrettably necessitating the return to her birthplace of Portland. ​​After a period of reflection, Marjè reignited to produce and refine pieces for private collection and select auctions. She is now excited to present her latest work to the public in her solo debut exhibition titled ‘seven pillars’; showcasing an intimate collection of original paintings that weave together a personal narrative of resilience, self-discovery, and artistic evolution.
For Marjè, establishing footing as a self-taught artist has been transformative and sometimes tumultuous. Through continuous trial and error, she has experienced immense personal and artistic growth at each stage of this arduous but rewarding journey. This path has challenged preconceived limitations regarding her abilities and opened doors to unexpected opportunities and possibilities. Despite the difficulties, navigating this pursuit independently has safeguarded the authenticity of her creative expression, allowing her deepest moments of ingenuity to be a pure reflection of aptitude and imagination. Her inspiration is profoundly drawn from lived experiences, rich-spirited people, and cultures across the globe, particularly those of tribal origin and their surrounding environments. Marjè wholeheartedly embraces the challenge of capturing the essence of what she finds unique and treasurable, while striving to highlight various aspects of this complex human experience. Marjè extends a very special thank you to RACC for making her debut possible and to those who have expressed enduring interest and support.​​
Artist Statement.
Sentiments
Inspirations
Acknowledgments
