Marie Napurrulla

Marie Napurrula was born in 1968 and has 7 children, their ages ranging from 23 years to two years. Marie, the eldest of three children has always been intrigued regarding her Aboriginality and came to Alice Springs eight years ago to re trace her family’s history.

In her work series “Grandmother’s journey” Marie depicts Aboriginal iconography of the physical and spiritual journey of her Indigenous Grandmother. Marie imagined the tracks and stopping points her Grandmother must have made as she crossed the hot and arid landscape time after time between the cattle station and the Lutheran mission.

Her grandmother had been a cameleer and Aboriginal women at that time, often accompanied the men assisting with local knowledge, the transportation of goods and as cooks. These journeys' were long and difficult and required a special resilience to cope with the harsh conditions in the desert.

Marie's fine craft work of necklaces and bracelets made from gum nuts, acacia seeds and ininti seeds as well as hand crafted baskets show her artistic eye and dedication.

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