Marcelle Riley

How story dolls heal unspoken trauma

December 2019

Talk length:

10:43

How story dolls heal unspoken trauma | Marcelle Riley | TEDxPerth

Marcelle uses Noongar story dolls to help heal people across Australia. Her, and her family's, struggle from suicide and addiction to mental health shows how storytelling helps us on our own healing journey. Marcelle recognises the power of using her Noongar culture to promote healing, both for herself and others. She works as a Noongar artist running workshops all over WA, using her skills in doll-making, weaving and eco-dyeing.

Marcelle's own story doll is more famous than Marcelle – her name is Bibool Yok (Paperbark Girl) and was selected as a finalist in the prestigious 2018 National Self Portrait Prize. She was one of thirty self portraits selected for the by-invitation only prize. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community

Marcelle Riley
Noongar Textile Artist

Marcelle sees the power of using her Noongar culture as a way of healing, for herself and others. Using skills in doll-making, weaving and eco-dyeing for healing - she unlocks stories through the dolls, helping their makers find new ways to articulate their deepest thoughts and feelings.