‘ART OF HEALING’
Deeply rooted in matrilineal lore and strength, the mother-daughter duo behind wildly successful Indigenous art house Miimi & Jiinda share powerful stories of resilience. Words by Helen Dewar
For as long as she can remember, Melissa Greenwood has witnessed the therapeutic power of art. Since she was a little girl, she’s watched her mum, Lauren Jarrett, paint with a purpose that came from being a member of the Stolen Generations – creating pieces that help her to heal and reconnect with her culture.
“Mum’s been painting for over 30 years, but she lacked confidence because of the traumas of her past,” says Melissa. “She’s a survivor of the Stolen Generations, and for her, painting plays an important role in healing trauma that stems from what she experienced as a child. Growing up, I witnessed the injustices that happened to my family and my people, and the injustices that are still happening today. It instilled in me a drive and a passion to create change in a positive way – I wanted to see Mum happy and confident, and so Miimi & Jiinda was born.”
