38. MaryLin Litchfield

Painting

Developing a distinctive form of abstract expressionism, MaryLin’s contemporary practice is a dynamic exploration of colour, texture, and mark-making.

Her work offers a deeply internalised response to the natural world, translating the rhythmic processes of decay and growth into layered, emotive compositions. Working primarily in acrylic, MaryLin’s paintings are richly detailed and intuitively built. She is currently working towards a solo exhibition at Burrinja’s Lyre Gallery in March 2026.

MaryLin’s studio at Burrinja is an active site of making and experimentation, where she develops abstract expressionist works that explore emotional states within a cohesive thematic framework. Originally inspired by a bird’s-eye view of land, her current series has evolved into larger, more vibrant paintings, characterised by bold colour and expressive brushwork.

"Each artwork begins with expressive marks and forms and tells my emotive story of joy and struggle through colour, gesture and abstracted rhythms. I paint in acrylic, often using acrylic mediums. My work incorporates a deeply internalised translation of the observation of the natural and rhythmic processes of decay and growth, and I carry deep satisfaction from both experimentation and resolution of each artwork."

— MaryLin Litchfield