Anya Judith Samson

Anya is the granddaughter of Dadda Samson and Yanjami (Peter) Rowlands, both senior Martu artists.  She was born in Port Hedland and has lived most of her life in Jigalong.

Anya’s mother passed away when she was a young girl, she has grown up with her grandmother Dadda.  Dadda has taught Anya to paint; she has passed stories onto Anya for painting.  Anya frequently travels with Dadda to her country around Jigalong, Puntawarri and the Rabbit Proof Fence, the subject of many of her paintings.

In recent years, Anya has exhibited in most Martumili Artists' exhibitions in recent years.  Her work has been acquired by the Art Gallery of Queensland (GOMA) and the National Museum of Australia.  In 2011, Anya travelled to the United States of America with other Martu artists for the exhibition "Waru" at the Thomas Welton Stanford Art Gallery, Stanford University.

Anya is casually employed by Martumili Artists as a support worker, assisting older artists with travel and arts support services. She is also part of the Jigalong Women's Ranger team.