View artworks by Marie Mudgedell Nakamarra

Marie is the oldest daughter of Mati (Bridget) Mudgedell. She was born at Sturt Creek Station and later moved to Ruby Plains with her family. Her mother’s country is near Yagga Yagga, Ngarti people’s country. Her father is from Sturt Creek, a place called Killi Killi. Marie left her family to attend the school at Balgo Mission. When she finished her schooling she worked in the laundry of Billiluna Station, where she met her husband with whom she moved to Balgo to put their children through school.

It was at Balgo that Marie started painting her water dreaming and the country of Sturt Creek. Marie has also been involved with the Language Center producing Tjurrkupa stories for the children in traditional language. Marie continues to work for meals on wheels, caring for the old people of the community and is a Church leader. She takes the young girls through ceremony, as well as being a respected storyteller and knowledgeable about bush medicines. In mid 2006 Marie started painting Yawulyu – an annual women’s ceremony and gathering which is a creation story from a long time ago. It is a special women’s ceremony where many women come together from all different tribes and language groups to share their songs and dance.

EXHIBITIONS

2010 Balgo Prints, Northern Editions, Darwin, NT
2008 Balgo Survey, Christmas Exhibition, ReDot Gallery, Singapore
2008 Balgo 2008, Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi, Melbourne VIC