Marita Kantilla is BIMA Wear's senior garment maker and one of the studio's longest-serving members, having worked here since the 1970s. Over nearly five decades, she has witnessed the enterprise grow and change while remaining a constant presence - known for her loud laugh, sense of humor, and dedication to showing up every day.

A highly skilled sewer, Marita has spent so many years making garments that she can tell your dimensions with just a glance. While garment making is her primary practice, she has also dabbled in design, creating screen prints and linocuts that have been printed onto fabric. Making runs in her family - her brother, Osmond Kantilla, is a master printer with over 20 years of experience at Tiwi Design.

Today, Marita plays a vital role in mentoring younger sewers, guiding them through the intricacies of garment construction and passing on decades of knowledge. As one of the founding generation of BIMA Wear artists and garment makers, she has helped build the enterprise into what it is today - a place where Tiwi women create, share knowledge, and maintain economic independence through cultural practice. As her generation begins to transition out of the studio, Marita's hope is clear: that the young ones will continue the work that her generation of Tiwi women have started, keeping BIMA Wear strong for years to come.