Mignonette Jamin

Mignonette was born at Muthanoongamaya - Majalindy Valley on Majalindy Creek a tributary of the Fitzmaurice River near Palumpa in the Northern Territory. She was a highly respected law woman amongst her community. As a child and young woman Mignonette walked all over the country from Bullo River to Kununurra. She lived at Legune Station and went to school at Port Keats. She came to Kununurra when she was about 10 years old. Mignonette painted her traditional Country - the rivers and billabongs, coastal areas, the hills, rocky ridges, roads and other land marks as well as sites significant to women's business which belongs to her dreaming for country at Muthanoongamaya - Majalindy Valley and empowered her as a healer. She also painted country around Kununurra and Wyndham associated with her husband's Country - the Carlton Hill Station area. Her paintings have attracted much attention with their powerfully balanced compositions, an expansive palette and an individually free expressiveness and vibrancy. Her canvases pulse with the energy of place. Intimate stories and memories of Country link these images to her extensive knowledge of Country. Sadly Mignonette Jamin passed on 19 December 2010. Her joyful presence is very much missed.