Marley He Mana'o Akamai Van Peebles, born 1998 in Los Angeles, California. Van Peebles mediums are acrylic paint, watercolor, and ink pens. He uses found objects and other mediums to create texture. A large portion of work is made using found materials: Cardboard, wood and fabric are used to create what Van Peebles calls ‘flat objects. Using everyday objects, such as used food packaging or cardboard boxes, as these materials are all linked to his everyday actions, like eating, sleeping, and creating. 

“When I create, I do it from an instinctive place, I don’t think too much, I just flow. During my time at Parsons, I came to realize a part of my goal as an artist is not only to challenge the way I think about my art but also challenge the institution of art and the idea of what it means to ‘know’ your own art. The concept of applying theory to my work has been challenging for me. Theory challenges my own understanding of knowledge and how it is expressed through art. I create from a spiritual or instinctual place without theoretical grounding. The notion of improvisation is a most important aspect to my process.  Creating in the moment.”

Van Peebles is a graduate from Parsons School of Design I The New School, NYC in 2020.