Lillibet Bothma - Margie

Oil on canvas
51cm x 77cm

Meet Margie, An Australian Icon
The name Margie means “pearl.”

While Margie is a fictional character, and mostly painted from the likeness of my grandmother as I imagined her, she represents the essence of an Australian icon, not through fame or celebrity, but through symbolism and spirit. In creating her portrait, I set out to capture the quiet strength, resilience, and beauty that often go uncelebrated but are deeply woven into Australian identity.

Margie embodies the symbolism of the pearl. Formed not in comfort, but through pressure, grit, and time. Pearls are the only gemstones created by a living organism, and their formation begins when a tiny piece of girra (sand) enters a mollusc. This process happens underwater, a rich symbol of healing, cleansing, rebirth, and deliverance, ideas that resonate across many cultures, including Indigenous Australian traditions.

Just like many Australians, especially women who live, work, and endure far from the spotlight, Margie reflects a journey of transformation. She is shaped by her environment, her challenges, and her inner strength. When finally illuminated, she reveals depth, colour, and quiet brilliance.

Margie may not be real, but she is a representation of countless real Australians. In that way, she is an icon, a symbol that points to something greater than herself.