Los Angeles-based Morleigh Steinberg – an artist, dancer, choreographer, filmmaker and ARCANE Space gallerist whose performances have appeared at the Guggenheim Museum (NYC), The Hammer Museum (LA), and numerous venues across Europe, and who has also designed and published books related to her exhibitions and projects – plumbs her own psychological depths only to discover what makes her love work and life.
What historical art figure would you like to have lunch with and why? Off the top of my head, today, I would say Goya. I would love to eat in a small restaurant and eat huevos and setas and talk about how he paints light and how he envisioned The Dog, Colossus, Saturn Devouring his Son.
What did you purchase with the proceeds from your first sale? A piano!
What words or phrases do you overuse? “Shite,” “ Fu*#”
How do you know when a work is finished? When my eyes hurt.
Hug, photo collage digital print on sliver mylar vinyl, 40” x 29”
When and where were you happiest? When I’m out in nature, when I’m on a horse. When my family is happy.
What is your most treasured possession? Life – but I am not sure that’s a possession – and friends, but they aren’t possessions either. But they are my most treasured things. I really like my jeans.
Where is your ideal escape destination? The sea.
PinkFlowercloud
What’s the worst survival job you’ve ever had? I actually have liked all my jobs, but getting up super early hung over to work at a bakery/restaurant on the weekends wasn’t fun.
What TV series from your youth best describes your approach to life? Carol Burnett Show and The Cher Show.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wish I could be more effective; to do more in society. I just wish I could do more.
Trio of single work : Pink Branch Vase, Branch Vase 2 and Branch Vase 1, photo collage on silver mylar vinyl, 24” x 35”
What is your most treasured memory? My childhood and the freedom of it.
What makes you smile? Sharing humor. When humanity shines.
What makes you cry? Sadly, far too many things make me cry these days
What is your go-to drink when you toast to a sale? First, I am so grateful! Then I might have a tequila.
Beaucoup, 2025 photo collage on sliver mylar vinyl 21” x 21”
After an all-nighter, what’s your breakfast of champions? Steamed rice with a boiled egg, topped with soy sauce and green tabasco OR a crispy waffle, OR lemon ricotta pancakes.
Who inspires you? Mother Nature and my husband.
What’s your best quality? I’m patient – people say I’m calming
What’s your biggest flaw? I can be a bit obsessive and not let tasks go.
sky daisy
What is your current state of mind? I’m trying to stay positive. That’s usually my state of mind, but it is hard these days.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Having kids. Besides that…it kind of feels that each achievement makes the next one greater / sweeter so I can’t judge yet!
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what would it be? A big tree that would grow slowly, and big and live long outside.
Poppy Rising Silver LEFT; Storm Bloom , 2025 – photo collage digital print on sliver mylar vinyl, 12” x 15.2”
Morleigh Steinberg’s exhibition, someplace, somewhere, is at ARCANE Space through March 1. Visit the artist at FB and IG
Cover image: The artist in front of her piece someplace, somewhere, 2025, photo collage on silver mylar vinyl, 29’ x 10’.5”; all photos by the artist.
