Leeann Kelly-Pedersen

Leeann was a senior language worker at the Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre and is currently an Aboriginal mental health worker for the WA Country Health Service. She is also a registered language teacher on the WA Teacher’s Registration Board teaching the Wajarri Language.

Leeann was born in Carnarvon WA and lived most of her life between Carnarvon and Mullewa during her childhood. Leeann had an early interest in Art as it was always her favourite subject at school. She finds a lot of inspiration from her mother Dawn Hamlett and from the places and things she has experienced or seen during her life journey.

In 2003 Leeann enrolled in a TAFE Course in Geraldton and completed Cert III in Visual Arts and Technology for which she won the Student of the Year award. Some of the disciplines Leeann explored during the course were jewellery making, ceramics, drawing, design, textile dying, batik, painting, and mosaics.

Leeann has completed many artworks at home and has sold pieces in the Yamaji Art exhibitions, markets and private sales, but is now happy to continue doing more work for Yamaji Art. She has illustrated a book and created and designed topical themed posters in the Wajarri, Badimaya and Nhanda languages for Bundiyarra Irra Wangga Language Centre.

Leeann designed the animals on the cover for the Wajarri App and has also created storybooks and other resources in the Wajarri Language for kindergarten children. Leeann was always the primary artist to create Animal Door designs for Beachlands Primary School, Geraldton.