Marline Johnson

Marline, also known as Marly, is an African American artist whose work centers on making the invisible visible through spoken word and mosaic art. She uses these mediums to create spaces for critical dialogue, engaging her audience in the difficult yet necessary conversations surrounding racial and gender inequality. Through her art, she brings attention to the subtle, everyday acts of oppression that are deeply embedded in our culture—issues many would rather ignore.

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Marline is both an artist and an activist. She earned her Master’s degree in Art Therapy from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Since graduating, she has remained committed to work in youth development, leadership, and philanthropy, all while cultivating an art practice focused on ending gender-based violence against women and girls.