Marli Macumba

Born in Alice Springs, Marli Macumba is from Iwantja (Indulkana) on Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara lands in northern South Australia, and is descended from Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara, Arrernte, Gurindji People. Currently living and working in Port Augusta, Macumba works across the disciplines of painting, weaving and fibre art.

Painting in a bright and vibrant style, Macumba draws upon traditional storytelling practices to create new ways of sharing cultural knowledge. Her skills have been passed on through Tjukurpa, the Law and way of life governing her Country. Her work often depicts themes of family, imagination, stories of Country and elements of nature, including imagery of the desert flowers that she grew up with.

Macumba has a strong history of community leadership and socially engaged practice, including through work at Kokotha Aboriginal Corporation and as a member of the Aboriginal Working Group at Port Augusta City Council. In 2019 Macumba was awarded the Port Augusta NAIDOC Artist of the Year. Macumba’s exhibition history includes solo exhibitions MILYIKA at Port Pirie Regional Art Gallery (2021) and the self-titled Marli Milyika Macumba at Hahndorf Academy (2022), and group exhibitions including Drifting Sands as part of the 2021 Tarnanthi Festival.