1966
Language Group:Eastern Arrernte (Aranda)
Country:Santa Teresa, South East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Medium:Acrylic on Canvas, Linen and Paper, Decorative Craft
Subjects:Women Collecting Imuna (Bush Food), Women Collecting Tyape Atnyematye (Witchetty Grubs), Women Collecting Yerrampe (Honey Ant), Merne Arrwerneng (Wild Passionfruit), Merne Alangkwe (Bush Banana), Women's Ceremonial Dancing, Women Collecting Merne Awe
Marie Ryder grew up at Santa Teresa (Ltyentye Apurte) community, 80kms southeast of Alice Springs with her eight younger brothers and sisters. Her mother is Therese Ryder, a highly respected illustrative and landscape artist. Marie is married to Kevin Bird Mpetyane (grandson of Ada Bird Petyarre) and lives happily with their children in Kevin's country in the Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs. Marie also has another two children from her first marriage.
Marie first put paint to canvas when she was in her early 20's. As a child, she watched her mother painting, observing her techniques and from this developed her own style. Her paintings are a celebration of the bush foods from Central Australia. They are highly representational using rich colours to depict her country.
Her work is held in many private collections both interstate and overseas. Her work has also been represented in many group exhibitions.
Artist: Marie Ryder
Size: 30 x 30cm
Title: Women's Ceremonial Dancing
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Year Painted: 2025
Women's Ceremonial Dancing
Marie paints women's ceremonial dancing. Concentric circles represent the site where the Awelye (Women's Ceremonial and Body Paint Designs) is being performed and linear designs represent Awelye. These designs are painted onto the chest, breasts, arms and thighs. Powders ground from red and yellow ochre (clays), charcoal and ash are used as body paint and applied with a flat stick with soft padding. The women sing the songs associated with their Awelye as each woman takes her turn to be 'painted-up'. Women perform Awelye ceremonies to demonstrate respect for their country and the total well-being and health of their community.
