Marlene Connelly is an exciting mid-career artist from Kaltukatjara (Docker River). She was born in Tennant Creek. Her mother Bonnie Connelly moved to Kaltukatjara from Ebenezer with Marlene when she was 11 or 12. Her father is Yunkuntjatjara and she has family in Port Augusta.
Marlene paints important ladies tjukurpa (dreaming stories) of the Kaltukatjara area about the traveling of minyma kutjara (two sisters) through the ranges. This area is significant to the ladies of the Western Desert and is a meeting place for law and culture - senior women passing on their knowledge to the young women.
Her unique style is reminiscent of celestial bodies, characterised by fields of coloured punu (dotting) and filled with meandering lines, circular motifs and beautiful, changing patterns.
Marlene has participated in the Revealed Exhibition in Fremantle, and is a previous director of Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art. In 2021, Marlene represented Kaltukatjara art with a residency at the Gallery of Central Australia in Yulara, an experience which she thoroughly enjoyed.
