La Perouse: my heart, my soul in saltwater Country - Marilyn Russell

Marilyn Russell, born in 1952 is a Bidjigal artist continuing the tradition of traditional shell work that has been prominent for generations among Aboriginal women from the La Perouse area. Russell comes from a long line of shell workers, including her mother Esme Timbery and her great, great grandmother Queen Emma Timbery. Russell continues to pass on these skills and knowledge to the next generation, often collaborating with her daughters and mother. She also regularly conducts popular shell working workshops for various arts organisations including the National Gallery of Australia. Russell’s shellworked Sydney Harbour Bridges, shoes and other objects are made using collected, plywood, paper, material and glitter and shells collected from the coastal beaches of her traditional lands. In 2020 she completed the shellwork installation 'La Perouse: my heart, my soul in saltwater Country' for the foyer of the Esme Timbery Building. The painted backdrop of waves and symbolises the Bidjigal people’s connection to the sea.