Lena Nyadbi

About Lena Nyadbi

Lena was born on Walmanjilukum (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 and worked a wide range of jobs including mustering cattle, milking the cows and general station duties. Before moving to the new Lissadell Station (which was relocated due to the development of Lake Argyle), Lena spent many years at the Derby leprosarium, initially as a patient, then as a worker. When she moved bask to Lissadell she met her husband, Ben Bandi.

Lena spent may 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, Lena didn?t start painting until 1998 as she was always working hard at other jobs in the community.

Lena has painted full-time since the Warmun Art Centre commenced operation in August 1998 and is fast developing a reputation as an original and dynamic painter.

Source: Chrysalis Publishing web site with permission

For more on Lena Nyadbi see
http://www.chrysalis.com.au/artists.asp?intArtistID=20