Marie Ryder

Marie Ryder is an Eastern Arrernte woman born in the community of Santa Teresa, September 1966.

Marie grew up with her very large extended family in Santa Teresa 120 km South East of Alice Springs, where she attended primary school until the early 1970s. Her family then moved to Alice Springs where Marie attended OLSH primary school before moving onto secondary school at Yirara College. Through Batchelor College Marie attained the qualifications to be an assistant teacher at the Mulga Bore School and is currently pursuing further qualifications in teaching.

Marie now lives between Alice Springs and Mulga Bore Outstation, 230km’s North East of Alice Springs, with her husband Kevin Bird (grandson to Ada Bird Petyarre) and her four children.

Marie developed her artistic skills as she watched and learned from her mother Theresa Ryder. The main theme in Marie’s paintings is associated with Awelye – Women’s Ceremony and Yerrampe – Honey Ant. Marie is also well known for her decorative paintings illustrating native flora and bush foods.

Her work has been represented in many group exhibitions and can be found in private collection both in Australia and overseas.