ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Jade Dolman’s story is about artistic identity, not a literal name change. In a 1 June 2022 PerthNow profile, the First Nations mural artist said she had felt in the shadow of her mother, broadcaster Narelda Jacobs, and wanted to make something of her own. She works under the name JD Penangke, and described her murals as carrying meaning for her culture and community as well as for herself.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Christie's Hong Kong Jade Shears and Shimmering Feathers: Imperial Chinese Ceramics from the Robert... | $75.00 | Buy on Amazon |
What “stepping away” from her mother’s name means
The headline describes Dolman’s effort to be recognized for her own art, not a change to her legal or family name. She recalled feeling at one point that she was in Jacobs’ shadow. Jacobs told her she had spent much of her own life feeling in the shadow of her father; hearing that helped inspire Dolman to pursue something for herself beyond being known as Jacobs’ daughter.
That account presents artistic independence without suggesting a rejection of her mother or their relationship. It is Dolman’s description of how family experience helped shape her decision to make work under her own artistic identity.
#1 Best Overall
Why she uses the name JD Penangke
PerthNow reported that Dolman works as an artist under the name JD Penangke. She explained its parts this way: “JD are my initials and Penangke is the skin name that I inherit from my dad in Arrernte country.” The name connects her own initials with an inherited identity; the profile does not describe it as a replacement for her family name.
From painting for family to painting city walls
The 2022 profile reported that Dolman had moved from painting canvases for family and friends to painting murals in Perth. It said that transition had begun six years earlier, and described her work as visible on city streets. Those are details from the profile at the time of publication, not confirmation of her current career status.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Personal history and the public meaning of her art
Painting as an outlet
Dolman said painting gave her an outlet for confusion, hurt and sadness connected with her family’s history in the Stolen Generations. Her account makes the work personal, while also showing why public murals can carry meanings beyond the artist’s private experience.
Responsibility to culture and community
She said the public visibility of her art had widened her sense of responsibility: “It’s grown. It’s not just about me but my art, because it’s seen so publicly, it’s a reflection of my culture and my mob, it’s not just myself now.” In her telling, a mural seen by many people can represent community as well as individual expression.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Listening and elders’ support
Dolman said she felt pressure around that responsibility and spoke with family about it. She credited elders’ support and described listening as part of creating work: “As long as I’ve taken the time to sit and listen, I’ve been able to learn a lot that I can include into my artwork and that’s a really important part of creating artwork.” The profile presents consultation and learning from family and elders as part of her practice, not as a formula for every First Nations artist.
The William Street mural and the wetlands it honours
The specific mural discussed in the profile was on William Street in Perth. Dolman said it honoured wetlands that once existed in the city’s central business district: “The story of that artwork is really special to that place. It’s honouring the wetlands that used to be in the CBD that is no longer there . . . it’s quite powerful having those wetlands shine so brightly on those big walls.” This is her explanation of that particular artwork and its relationship to place.
What the 2022 profile establishes—and what it does not
Rangi Hirini’s PerthNow profile, published 1 June 2022, is the basis for the reported account of Dolman’s artist name, family reflections and murals. It reported her age as 27 at publication and said she had begun painting city murals six years earlier; neither figure should be read as current. The profile does not establish what she is doing, exhibiting, selling or accepting commissions for now.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
