Marie Whitney was born in 1966 at her grandmother's house on the bank of South West Rocks river, in NSW.
Marie was sent to a carer’s home at the very young age of 4. This wasn’t a pleasant experience and she went through years of hardship until the age of 30 when she found one of her sisters who helped her travel to Kempsey NSW where all her family lived. This was the beginning of a new phase of her life and the start of her career as an artist.
Marie’s paintings reflect her life, loss of family and heritage for a long time, and getting them back later in life, the journey of her life.
She lives with her partner. She has 5 children and 4 grandchildren who visits her frequently and bring joy to her world.
Maire is from the Dungatti tribe. She loves teaching her culture to school children and often receives requests to do cultural training.
A quote from Marie “I was born black...made white...and found my way back to black...All in one life time!! That is my Journey... I love life because I have survived!!!”