Mary Magdalene was born on Bathurst Island and grew up in the Mission at Wurrumiyanga (Nguiu).

She carved and painted Pukumani poles for ceremonies.  Mary began painting at Jilamara in 2002, painting tungas, bark paintings, works on paper and canvas.  

Mary Magdalene is the mother of Jilamara carvers John Tipungwuti and Pius Tipungwuti, and aunt-mother to painter Brian Tipungwuti.  

Her first inclusion in exhibition was the 19th NATSIAA at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, in August 2002.

Her paintings are loose, free abstract works which relate to body painting and pukumani ceremony designs.  

Mary’s work is held in collections across Australia, including; Artbank, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), King Edward Memorial Hospital, Edith Cowan University, Murdoch University & WesFarmers.