Melinda Mitchell

DOB: c.1948
Born: Peterman Ranges

About Artist:
Melinda Mitchell was born Sambaua. She has a brother, Kelly and a sister Lorna in her family.

They took the family name of Peterman after the Ranges surrounding Docker River, that were named by early explorers.

She grew up in these Ranges with her hunter/gatherer family unit until the community of Docker River was established in 1972. There she settled and married Peter Mitchell who came from a tribe that lay further west near the present Warakurna and Wingelinna communities.

She and Donald have four children and many grandchildren, two of which she has taken into her care because both parents are deceased. Her husband, Donald died about 10 years ago.

The painting is of a man from the Peterman Ranges who kills a devil (mamu) near a water hole.