'It’s supposed to be handed down from grandmothers, mothers, daughters, granddaughters...'
Marilyn Russell is a Bidjigal woman from the coastal community of La Perouse in South-Eastern Sydney. Her artmaking practice is a continuation of the centuries-old tradition of shellwork, passed down through generations of Aboriginal women, including her late mother, Esme Timbery, and great-great-grandmother, Queen Emma Timbery.
Marilyn’s connection to this craft began in her childhood, learning the intricate art of shellwork by watching her mother. Today, she continues the tradition with her own unique interpretation, often working alongside her daughter and granddaughter, ensuring that this cultural knowledge is passed down through the family.
Not just an homage to family and culture, Marilyn’s work is also a powerful statement on the intersection of tradition, identity, and history. Through the painstaking process of creating these important objects, she tells stories of connection to Country and family, while inviting a broader conversation about the land and its ongoing significance.