Artist Profile - Meena (Peta Ugle)

We have often looked at this beautiful piece of art and wondered what the inspiration behind it was.  We found the artist of the Nidjalla Waangan Mia logo and asked her about the process.  

Meena (Peta Ugle) responded to an EOI when Nidjalla opened its doors a decade ago and came up with the dolphin design.  Her inspiration?  “I wanted to use clean cool colours and patterns for calmness and feelings of comfort so the community would feel welcomed and relaxed at NWM. The 5 Dolphins represent the 5 regions of the Peel Region. Mandurah is surrounded by the water. So I used different blues as water because I find that this is the most relaxing place to be and where healing is connected.”

Meena has been painting for as long as she can remember.  Art has always been a passion, and most of her mob are artistic.  Meena remembers watching her father paint as a young girl and seeing how he created beautiful pieces of art from nothing to tell a story that someone else could relate to.  She uses this as inspiration to tell her story and to communicate with others.

When asked what painting means to her, she said, “I feel solid, I love that I am able to paint and share my stories through art, I love that I can use and practice what my father taught me when I was young and share with others.”

Meena is a pretty busy lady, she works full time, is studying at Curtin - Bachelor of Applied Science Principles and Practices Mental Health, is the President of a Sport Association called Ochre Sporting Association Inc., along with being a wife and a mother of 6. "In my own time and to relax I paint and will always make time for painting."

Meena has done artwork for the Cancer Council, East Metropolitan Health Service, Waangkininy Health, Mooditj Nungan Koolongah's and Sands Funeral Service