Tributes flow for ‘inspirational’ NT artist and Traditional Owner, Dr B Marika AO

A pioneering Territory artist, cultural activist, and environmental adviser has been remembered as an inspirational woman who leaves an extraordinary legacy after she died this month.

An artwork by Dr B Marika AO, who has been remembered as an inspirational woman. Picture: Supplied

A PIONEERING Territory artist, cultural activist, and environmental adviser has been remembered as an inspirational woman who leaves an extraordinary legacy after she died this month, aged 66.

Yirrkala Traditional Owner Dr B Marika AO was a daughter of Mawalan (1908–1967), the artist and statesman who helped initiate Australia’s first Aboriginal land rights case in 1963.

NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner said she was an “inspirational Yolngu leader and deeply respected senior member of the Rirratjingu clan of North-East Arnhem Land”.

“Dr Marika AO was raised in a family of powerful lawmakers, artists and intellectuals. She became a striking embodiment of all that knowledge and she held it at the highest levels of scholarship,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Malawan entrusted B Marika and her sisters as custodians of the clan’s sacred designs and stories.

“She became internationally recognised for her exquisitely detailed work, executed on bark, linocut and screen print.

An artwork by Dr B Marika AO featured on a stamp.

“Dr Marika always impressed on her children and grandchildren that their country was home to an active spirit world,” he said.

Dr Marika was the first Aboriginal person elected to the board of the National Gallery of Australia and was named Senior Territorian of the Year in 2020. “She took on – and beat – a company that blatantly stole her artwork designs (and that of others) and had them printed on carpets that were imported into Australia,” Mr Gunner said. “I knew her and admired her. We have lost a person who spoke with such knowledge and such love for her land and her people.”

In a tribute, Aboriginal Art Directory said Dr Marika “took on responsibility for her father’s Country, getting involved in education, conservation and advocacy work as a member of bodies such as the Northern Land Council and Landcare”.

“[She] was determined to ensure her Yolngu homeland … was recognised and protected. She lobbied intensely for Yalangbara’s heritage listing, which was won in 2003.”

Dr Marika was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2019 Australia Day Honours for “distinguished service to the visual arts, particularly to Indigenous printmaking and bark painting, and through cultural advisory roles”.

Originally published as Tributes flow for ‘inspirational’ NT artist and Traditional Owner, Dr B Marika AO