Name: Marilyn James
Language: Ndjébbana
Community: Maningrida
Biography:
Marilyn is a senior artist with deep knowledge of culture & country which she brings into textiles and her design story. Marilyn is also a integral member of the Bábbarra Women’s Centre and multitasks in all areas of the studio from retail, printing and designing. Marilyn has represented Babbarra in Adelaide at the Tarnanthi Art Fair which she enjoyed.
Marilyn’s first design depicts the story of funeral logs (Lorrkkon).
‘This is the story of my great great grandfather and grandmother who were bark painters and Lorrkkon painters. I remember this story, and decided to make this my first design. My mother used to weave, she made pandanus hats, floormats, baskets and dilly bag.’
She also depicts Ranba (beach) and Yokkarra (fish), Ngaduma (palm tree) and Barruar (seagull egg) in her Lino print designs.
Marilyn has children and grandchildren all of whom live with her in Manayingkarírra (Maningrida), where she was born.
Eiffel tower and the Maladj spirit “I want to tell you about my design, that Eiffel tower one. This year it was my first time going to Paris. I didn’t know that place, nothing. We Read more…
Babbarra Mimih Bábbarra Women’s Centre is named after a billabong. This design references the Bábbarra logo that shows a female mimih (spirit being). This fabric was created using the linocut printing technique. The lino tile has Read more…
Gurrpurdu (Diving Bird) A design by emerging textile designer, Charmaine Pascoe. ‘My Gurrpurdu (diving bird) was white. She flew from Gan Gan to Gapuwiyak and then to Yathalamarra. And then she flew to Gartji. At Read more…