Marjorie Liddy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marjorie Liddy
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| Born | 17 October 1932 Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia
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| Died | August 23, 2016 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Indigenous Australian |
| Other names | Aunty Marjorie |
| Occupation | artist, indigenous elder |
| Known for | Design of image used for World Youth Day 2008 |
Marjorie Liddy (born October 17, 1932 – died August 23, 2016) was an important Indigenous Australian elder and artist. She came from the Tiwi Islands in Australia's Northern Territory.
Marjorie Liddy created a special image that was approved by the Vatican. This image became the main symbol for World Youth Day 2008 around the world.
Early Life and Growing Up
Marjorie Dunn Liddy was born on October 17, 1932. She was a Tiwi Islands woman. Catholic nuns raised her at the Garden Point Mission. This mission was located in Pirlangimpi on Melville Island in the Northern Territory.
The mission was a home for children, including some who were taken from their Indigenous families. This period is known as the Stolen Generations.
Her Art and Career
Marjorie Liddy designed a famous image for Pope Benedict XVI's visit to World Youth Day 2008. This big event took place in Sydney. People often called her design "Marjorie's Bird."
The image was printed on special robes called chasubles. Priests wore these robes during the Papal Mass. Marjorie Liddy herself named her artwork "The Day the Holy Spirit Visited Marjorie and Her People." By "her people," she meant all the people of Australia.
Marjorie Liddy was part of a group of Indigenous women. They formed a special guard of honor for the Pope at World Youth Day. Before creating this image, Marjorie had not painted. Her artwork showed a white dot bird on a dark blue background.
She shared a story about how she got the idea for her painting. She said the Holy Spirit touched her. After fishing with her son, she saw the stars arranged in a way that inspired her. Her priest and bishop encouraged her to paint what she saw in the night sky.
In 2006, Marjorie Liddy also drew pictures for a book. The book was written by Denise Kelly.
In 2012, a photo of her won an award. The photo was called "Aunty Marjorie Liddy" and was taken by Fiona Basile. It won the Best Original Photograph award from the Australasian Religious Press.
Personal Life
Marjorie Liddy was a mother to 12 children. She passed away on August 23, 2016. She was traveling back to the Tiwi Islands after attending a church service in Melbourne.
