“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 beauful, 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. Group Exhibitions 2025, July Art Above the 26th, Broome Civic Centre