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Lorrkkon – Marilyn James

Marilyn’s first screen print design depicts the story of lorrkkon (hollow funeral logs). This the story of her great, great grandfather and grandmother who were bark painters, as well as also sacred lorrkkon painters.

When designing this screen print, Marilyn was remembering her childhood living in a small house on Liverpool river Ngar-wunja (Thompson hole) with other families.

Through the painting process, Marilyn remembered and relived the times when people still lived permanently on remote homelands, living off the land before balanda (non-indigenous people) arrived.

Marilyn recalls “it makes me think back, we did lots of things, some people was hunting, some was weaving, some was painting barks and lorrkkon. As my great, great grandfather and grandmother was painters, I painted this my story for them.”

Name: Marilyn James


Language: Ndjébbana


Community: Maningrida


Biography:

Marilyn is a senior artist with profound cultural knowledge, which she incorporates into her textiles and design work.

An integral member of the Bábbarra Women’s Centre, Marilyn plays a versatile role in the studio, contributing to retail, printing, and designing. She has proudly represented Bábbarra at the Tarnanthi Art Fair in Adelaide, a highlight of her artistic journey.

Marilyn’s first design portrays the story of Lorrkkon (funeral log), a significant part of her family’s artistic legacy.

“This is the story of my great-great-grandfather and grandmother, both bark painters and Lorrkkon painters. I remember their stories and chose to make this my first design. My mother was also a weaver—she made pandanus hats, floormats, baskets, and dilly bags.”

Her lino print designs also depict Ranba (beach) and Yokkarra (fish), as well as Ngaduma (palm tree) and Barruar (seagull egg).

Marilyn lives in Manayingkarírra (Maningrida), where she was born, alongside her children and grandchildren.


© the artist / art centre