Empowering their community through art
Lauren Jarrett and Melissa Greenwood, Australia
Miiimi and Jiinda is a new Australian Art business, founded by Aboriginal mother and
daughter, Lauren Jarrett and Melissa Greenwood, which was established to not only create
beautiful sacred artworks, sharing their rich cultural history, but to also implement change
by increasing awareness and knowledge. Melissa and Lauren are Indigenous Australian
artists hailing from the Gumbaynggirr, Dunghutti and Bundjalung tribes of Australia’s East
Coast. Often referred to as “Saltwater Country”, their ancestral homelands are some of the
most beautiful oceans, rivers, sub tropical rainforests, mountains and majestic waterfalls in
the country. Lauren and Melissa are traditional owners of their ancestral homelands and
proud custodians of the oldest surviving culture in the world which dates back to “time
immemorial”, meaning time extending beyond the reach of memory.
Lauren grew up on her ancestral “country” and was taught by the elders about their culture
and the importance of the land, waterways, spirits and creatures. As a child, Lauren learnt
that everything is connected and interdependent and that nature is the best teacher. When
Lauren was nine years old, the Australian government forcibly removed her and her 13 siblings
from their family and were sent to an orphanage. The orphanage punished them for
showing any Aboriginal culture and forced them to behave in a Western way. This was very
traumatic and confusing for Lauren and as an adult she has had to spend time reconnecting
with her Aboriginal culture to strengthen and reconnect with her spirit. Lauren was
determined to teach her children about their culture and that they should feel proud of
their heritage. Melissa grew up in the same Australian bush as her mother and was
immersed in the rich culture of the community, including playing music and dancing around
the fire, listening to stories told by the elders and learning about nature, art and the
traditional customs.
Their rich and ancient cultural heritage informs Lauren and Melissa’s artistic creations and
they both feel a strong sense of responsibility to keep their culture alive. When they paint
and weave, Lauren and Melissa feel they are evoking the spirit of mother earth and infusing
her with new energy. The passion infused into the beautiful paintings and basket weavings
are about reviving and sharing their traditional customs and empowering their community.
You can find out more about their story and artworks at: https://miimiandjiinda.com