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Published by CompNet Systems on

Untitled

 This artwork showcases the artist’s skillful use of colour, texture, and technique, reflecting a deep connection to their environment and culture. Each detail embodies the unique identity of Bidyadanga Artists, where the original five language groups—Nyangumarta, Mangala, Yulparija, Juwaliny, and Karrajarri—come together to create art that speaks to the heart of Country. Over time, the community and Art Centre has grown to include people from other Kimberley tribes, fostering a space where diverse cultural knowledge and practices come together. Situated where the desert meets the sea, artists draw inspiration from their ancestral Country and personal journeys. The artist captures the vibrant beauty of both desert and coastal landscapes, blending earthy reds, deep blues, and intricate patterns distinctive to their cultural heritage. The themes and composition invite viewers into the artist’s world, offering a glimpse of the rich, intertwined histories and the enduring connection to land and spirit that define the Bidyadanga community.

Jaymee-Lee Chaquebor

Name: Jaymee-Lee Chaquebor

Language: Bardi, Jawi

Community: Bidyadanga

Biography:

“I moved to Bidyadanga because my partner is from here. It’s a crazy story (chuckling), but that’s for another day. I now have three beautiful, crazy kids. I value my family and my culture first — and respect. Treat others how you want to be treated. Back then, we were taught to respect our Elders. These are the values I want to pass on to my kids.

Bardi people learn to live off the land and the sea. We use certain plants to indicate which animals are good for eating. For example, the wattle flower tells us the mullet are good to eat; their fat and eggs are best when the wattle is flowering. My paintings are about how we use the land to hunt the sea. All the colours I use have meaning.

I paint the stories I learn from my Elders, and my artwork reflects the colours and textures of the area and its fruits.

What I am trying to do with my paintings is reconnect to a special place where I grew up. It’s a spiritual place for my daughter. My grandfather heard her cry there before I even told him I was pregnant.”
– Jaymee‑Lee Chaquebor

Jaymee‑Lee is a Bardi Jawi woman from the Dampier Peninsula who grew up near the saltwater. She is both a painter and a fashion designer, creating works that reflect the landscapes, waters, and natural colours of her Country while celebrating Bardi culture.