OUR STORY

The word “MarliMarli” meaning ‘Butterfly’ in Wagiman language is named in honour of our late Grandmother, Lizzy Von Roehl who we lost in 2008 to a long battle with cancer. 

When Nan passed our little sister, Elisa, was 2 years old and any time she would see a passing butterfly she would point and say “Oh Hello Nanny…Nanny’s butterfly”. 

We noticed butterflies around us whenever we felt her presence after her passing, so we believed this was her way of telling us she was still with us 

Our nan was a gorgeous and talented artist in her own right and found comfort during her tough battle with cancer in creating pieces she sold, exhibited and gifted to her nearest and dearest.

Nan shared her love of art with her daughter, our mum, and with us kids. 

Tara then decided to use this medium also as a tool for healing and self expression, naming herself as an independent artist ‘MarliMarli’ in honour of her greatest art teacher 

Over the past 5-6 years, MarliMarli was used as Tara’s artist name  while she produced, exhibited and sold her original artworks, prints and digital artworks online, through commissions, market stalls and art galleries. 

Now taking a step in a new direction we operate as ‘MarliMarli Creative’. 

Founded this year as a collaboration between siblings Tara and Jake.

This has been made possible with the support of our mum, dad, pop and sister and the newest member of our family, Tara’s son Keanu. 

Also joining our team, our business partner and investor Uncle Tony and his wife Aunty Elaine. 

Based in Hoppers Crossing, in the Western Suburbs of Naarm (Melbourne, Victoria), MarliMarli Creative is many things. It’s a retail store, an Art gallery, a workshop space and a place for gathering. 

The space will be filled with specially crafted and meaningful products that embody us as a family, our stories, our perspectives and our experiences. An insight into how we see the world and the world we want to see. 

We are also running fun and insightful workshops and activities for people to get involved with, to learn about history and culture or to explore their artistic side