Marlene Coombes

Marlene Coombes was born at Oodnadatta which is north-east of South Australia. Marlene comes from a very large family, she is the fourth child of a family of fourteen children. Marlene speaks both Luritja and Arrente.

Marlene began painting in 1987 and started on canvas before moving onto batik but continues to paint on both. Her Dreamings include Witchetty Grub, Flying Fox, Honey Ant and Milky Way Dreaming. Marlene shared with me (Sabine Haider, Director, Central Art) that “painting has always been in my family, I have been painting for thirty years as a hobby and find that it is very calming and relaxing for me. My paintings interpret my Dreaming of my people, wildlife, land and the universe. My painting style was passed onto me by my mother in law, Janet Forrester Ngala. My husband and I hope to pass this on to our children and grandchildren” (Marlene Coombes, 2008).

Central Art met with Marlene back in 2008 where she produced a beautiful small artwork titled “Milky Way Dreaming”. In that painting Marlene shared that the Milky Way is considered to be a visual illustration of the microcosm within for Aboriginal people. Aboriginal people believe the stars in the sky have stories associated with their origin. It is believed that the stars and planets were once people and animals from the Creation time.