Paré Mariam

Mariam was born in Morocco and moved to the United States as a young child with her family. At the age of 20, she became the victim of gun violence, which left her a quadriplegic. Before her injury,  Mariam was an aspiring artist studying art, and following her rehabilitation, she discovered a new way to pursue her passion. During therapy, she learned to write her name by holding a pen in her mouth, quickly adapting this technique to painting and enthusiastically teaching herself to paint with her mouth.

In 2003, Mariam returned to college to complete her bachelor’s degree in Studio Art. Over the following years, she continued to develop as a mouth painting artist, participating in national exhibitions and showcasing her work in private galleries. As her artistic and advocacy work expanded, she began sharing her story and message of perseverance through television appearances, news segments, and newspaper articles, inspiring audiences worldwide.

In 2006, Mariam was awarded a scholarship from the Association, became an Associate Member of the VDMFK in 2016, and achieved Full Membership in 2023.

Today, Mariam works from her studio in Chicago, America, creating artwork that spans a variety of subjects and media, including oil, acrylic, and modern mixed-media techniques. She also actively collaborates with other artists in fields such as videography and photography, continuing to push creative boundaries while sharing her remarkable journey.