Marie Carmel Kerinauia was born in the bush at Paru, Melville Island, on the Apsley Strait opposite the mission on Bathurst Island. At the time, the camp at Paru was well known as a group of Tiwi cultural leaders and artists who had strong knowledge of the old ways and the old Tiwi language – they produced many carvings that sold through the mission before art centres were established on the islands.

Her mother was the sister of Kitty Kantilla, an acclaimed and internationally famous Tiwi artist. Marie Carmel was ‘grown-up’ by both of her mothers’ – in Tiwi culture aunties and uncles are considered mum and dad if they are the same gender as the birth parent.

She came to live in Milikapiti as a young girl, where she married and raised a family. She began painting at Jilamara Arts and Crafts in 2001, developing her own unique style.

Marie has been exhibiting in Jilamara group shows since 2001. Her artwork has been acquired by The Laverty Collection (Sydney). Marie passed away in 2020.