Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food)

Marie Ryder

1966

Eastern Arrernte (Aranda)

Santa Teresa, South East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory

Acrylic on Canvas, Linen and Paper, Decorative Craft

Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food), Women Collecting Tyape Atnyematye (Witchetty Grubs), Women Collecting Yerrampe (Honey Ant), Merne Arrwerneng (Wild Passionfruit), Merne Alangkwe (Bush Banana), Awele Awele (Bush Tomatoes), Women Collecting Merne Aw

Marie Ryder was born in 1966 and is an Eastern Arrernte artist connected to the Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) area, south-east of Alice Springs. She grew up surrounded by creativity and cultural knowledge, watching her mother, respected artist Therese Ryder, develop her own artistic practice.

Marie began painting in her early twenties, learning through observing her mother's techniques while developing a distinctive style of her own. Her works are known for their rich colours and detailed representations of the plants, foods and natural elements of Central Australia.

Working across acrylic on canvas, linen and paper, as well as decorative craft, Marie paints a variety of bush foods, Awelye (Women's Ceremony and body paint designs) and owl stories. Her artworks celebrate the importance of Country, family and traditional knowledge.

Marie is married to artist Kevin Bird Mpetyane and divides her time between Alice Springs and Mulga Bore. Her work is held in private collections throughout Australia and internationally and has been featured in numerous group exhibitions.