Mieke Marple is an artist and writer living in Los Angeles. Marple has exhibited internationally, including in “Techno-Healing” at the Museum of Contemporary Art Zagreb, and “Elan Vital” at MOCA Westport. She has written for The Huffington Post, LA Review of Books, and McSweeney’s, among others. Through various charity art auctions, she has helped raise over a million and a half dollars for Planned Parenthood LA and a quarter million for prison abolitionist organization Critical Resistance. She received a B.A. in Fine Art from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2008 and was co-owner of Night Gallery, 2011-2016.
Name : Mieke Marple
Birthplace : Silicon Valley
Métier : artist and writer
Sources of inspiration : my family, my recovery community, books—esp memoir, my childhood and adolescence
Sources of motivation : I don’t know what keeps me going, joy and self-discovery I think
“Live. Laugh. Lube” Film Still
What makes you happy : time with my daughter, time away from my daughter
Portrait of Mieke Marple by Liz Bretz
Favorite reads : Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy
Favorite tunes : anything by the Earth Boys
Favorite foods : a really good cappuccino and croissant, preferably in Europe
Obehi Janice in “Live. Laugh. Lube” Film Still
Beauty tips : drink water, get sleep
Favorite ways to unwind : reading, comedy esp. IRL
Favorite part of living in Los Angeles : the weather and access to top creative talent, also the people—my friends—and the fact that it’s a sanctuary city and, for better or worse, is always in the news. It’s the beating heart of a much bigger animal.
Favorite place to travel to : New York City and/or the redwoods in Northern California, depending on what ails me
What gets you in a working flow : anything by the Earth Boys
What are you working on now : a generative painting project collaborating with clowns, comedians, and fools that I’m calling “Live. Laugh. Lube.”
Favorite quote : “I am being, doing nothing, accomplishing everything.” A mantra passed down to me by a 12-step fellow.
