Damien and Yilpi Marks / My Country (1A)

Damien Marks was born in Haasts Bluff in the Northern Territory in 1967. He later moved to Papunya with his family where he was taught painting by the well-known Clifford Possum, Billy stockman and Uta Uta Jangala who taught him dreamtime stories at an early age. Damien is now a respected Ngurratjuta artist and is married to highly talented artist Yilpi Marks.

Yilpi Marks was born in Ernabella in 1969. She was taught dreamtime stories by her grandparents and her parents. Her mother’s name is Tjulkiwa Atira-Atira and her father’s, Michael Atira-Atira (deceased). Both parents being very talented artists have their artworks held by the State Gallery of South Australia and the NGA.

Yilpi married Damian Marks and they lived in Damien’s country near Papunya before moving to South Australia. Together they often paint the ceremonies conducted by their people. Their paintings detail the ceremonial body paint designs, the ceremonial tools and other bodily adornments. They paint in a method typical of the Western Desert painters using dots to construct intimate knowledge the landscape, painted from an aerial view.

They now reside in Alice Springs and paint together regularly. They are passionate about preserving their culture through their artworks.