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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Dr B Marika AO

2020
Mihail Tsikas

inkjet print on paper (frame: 79.7 cm x 110.5 cm depth 4.5 cm)
Image not available (NC)

Dr B Marika AO was an artist and printmaker from Arnhem Land, and a member of the Rirratjingu clan of the Yolngu people. In 2019, Dr Marika was chosen to be the Northern Territory's 2020 Senior Australian of the Year during a ceremony in Alice Springs, where I took her portrait. When I met Dr Marika, I saw the timeless look in her eyes. How do you capture time? While I was adjusting exposures, she tentatively put her hand to her hair to smooth it down. It was at that moment I took the photograph, and I felt I had captured timelessness and living memory.

The subject of this photograph has recently passed away. The Gallery respects Indigenous peoples and communities’ cultural protocols; as such the first name of the subject will not be used and the portrait will not be displayed online or in the Gallery while we consult with the family and community of the subject as to their wishes. We thank you for your understanding.

Gift of the artist 2022

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Artist and subject

Mihail Tsikas

Dr B Marika AO (age 66 in 2020)

Subject professions

Activism

Visual arts and crafts

Donated by

Mihail Tsikas (1 portrait)

Related portraits

1. Dr B Marika AO, 1990. All Anne Zahalka.
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Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia

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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

This website comprises and contains copyrighted materials and works. Copyright in all materials and/or works comprising or contained within this website remains with the National Portrait Gallery and other copyright owners as specified.

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

The National Portrait Gallery is an Australian Government Agency