Art + Artists

Lex Marie (b. 1992, Prince George’s County, MD) is a multidisciplinary artist working across sculpture, installation, and painting. Rooted in her lived experience as a Black mother raising a son in the Washington, DC area, her practice examines how Black childhood is shaped by adultification, discipline, surveillance, and systemic inequity. Marie transforms everyday and reclaimed materials such as school uniforms, pencils, belts, report cards, hospital blankets, into charged objects that expose the hidden curriculum embedded within American institutions. Her 2022 solo exhibition, Let Them Kids Be Kids, at the Museum of Contemporary Art Arlington confronted bias within educational spaces. In 2026, her work is featured in America Will Be! at the David C. Driskell Center. Marie’s practice moves between personal archive and public history, using familiar materials to make visible the quiet systems that shape identity, belief, and possibility for Black children.

Lex Marie’s artistic practice is as an exploration of the weighty realities experienced by many African American children and children of color. Her work is a testament to the profound impact of adultification biases, food insecurity, and the systemic challenges entrenched in American school systems, healthcare systems, in the home and out in the world. Through a fusion of everyday materials, often reclaimed and repurposed, Marie offers a tangible manifestation of the intangible struggles faced by these young minds, compelling viewers to confront the profound significance inherent in the seemingly ordinary.

By employing commonplace materials, Marie seeks to transcend conventional artistic boundaries and redefine the narrative around what should be deemed art. These materials, often preused and overlooked, carry their own histories and stories. Their inclusion in her work is intentional, serving as a metaphor for the resilience and resourcefulness of the communities she aims to represent.

In Marie’s pursuit of sparking dialogue and challenging societal norms, she continually pushes the boundaries of what is traditionally considered art. Through unconventional mediums and innovative techniques, Marie provokes viewers to reassess their

perceptions. The juxtaposition of the mundane with the profound serves as a visual language that transcends barriers, encouraging discourse on issues that demand our collective attention.

Despite delving into weighty topics, Marie’s artistic creations remain intentionally digestible for younger audiences. Marie believes that by presenting these complex issues in a visually accessible manner, she can empower the very demographic for whom the work is ultimately intended. Through vibrant colors, imaginative compositions, and relatable themes, Marie invites children to engage with the art, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.

Marie’s work is an invitation to confront uncomfortable truths, to engage in conversations that echo the experiences of marginalized communities, and to reimagine the ordinary as extraordinary. Through the transformative power of art, she aims to contribute to a broader discourse, fostering empathy, understanding, and, ultimately, positive change.

In unraveling the layers of her creations, Marie extends an invitation to viewers to join her in this exploration—a journey that transcends the canvas and invites us all to rethink, reimagine, and rebuild a more inclusive and empathetic world.