Damien and Yilpi Marks
Damien and Yilpi Marks often work together to create beautiful collaborative works depicting traditional life in the desert. Damien was born in 1967 at Haasts Bluff, 300 km west of Alice Springs, and Yilpi was born in 1969 in Ernabella (Pukatja), in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara Lands of north-west South Australia.
Both are accomplished artists. Damien comes from a family of painters, including Clifford Possum Japaljarri. Damien and Yilpi met at school in Alice Springs while attending Yirara College.
After school, they moved back to Damien’s homeland, Mount Liebig, near Papunya. Damien later worked as a store supervisor in Ernabella, where Yilpi painted at Ernabella Arts.
They later moved to Port Augusta, where Damien worked for the government as a carer for young petrol sniffers, supporting rehabilitation. He later moved to Adelaide to continue working as a carer. Damien is very proud of his work and achievements, particularly helping young people return to study at TAFE and reconnect with their families.