Lena Nyadbi
Jimbirlam (Spearhead) Country 2008
Natural ochre on canvas 80 x100cm
Catalogue:47508
Lena Nyadbi was born on Walmanjilugum (Greenvale Station) and grew up on Old Lissadell Station. Like other young girls she was put to work on the station at an early age. She worked a wide range of jobs including mustering cattle, milking the cows and general station duties. She moved to the new Lissadell Station when it was relocated due to the development of Lake Argyle, and it was there she met her first husband, Ben Bandi.
Nyadbi spent many years watching and learning from some well-known Warmun artists who have now passed away, in particular Paddy Jaminji, who taught her the techniques of grinding ochre and charcoal, and of rubbing the charcoal into the canvas with her hands. However, Nyadbi did not start painting until 1998 as she was always working at other jobs in the community. Nyadbi has painted at the Warmun Art Centre since it commenced operation in August 1998 and has developed an international reputation as an original and dynamic painter. Nyadbi is one of eight artists featured in the Musee du Quai Branly project, which opened in Paris in 2006.