Judith Anya Samson is a First Nations artist, a proud Putijarra woman, currently residing on Martu Country (Western Australia).
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Introduction
Judith is the granddaughter of Dadda Samson and Yanjimi (Peter) Rowlands, both of whom were highly regarded Martumili artists. She was born in Port Hedland and has lived most of her life in Jigalong. Judith was raised by her grandparents, as her parents passed away when she was very young. As Judith describes, she was taught to paint by her grandmother Dadda, who passed stories to her for painting. Judith also spent much time traveling with Dadda to her country around the Puntawarri and Rabbit Proof Fence areas, both subjects of many of her paintings.
Judith 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.
Judith strikingly combines vibrant, unrestrained palettes with her loose, bold style, and incorporation of geometric walka (iconographic forms that describe the people, animals and their tracks, geographic formations, and the location of water) to represent her and Dadda’s Country surrounding Puntawarri, Jigalong, and the Rabbit Proof Fence. She explains:
"I started painting at Martumili when I was a young girl. I helped my nanna with painting, especially with the Puntawarri ones. My nanna taught me to paint. I like to paint and I work on pieces about the Canning Stock Route, including Well 17 at Puntawarri. My favourite thing is going out to Country, returning to Jigalong and Puntawarri, and painting about Country. Painting helps me feel strong. My family and culture make me feel proud. I feel happy when I paint—pukurlpa. Happy! I also like playing softball and play for Jigalong, Western Desert. Additionally, I enjoy dancing and listening to music."
"My nanna was teach me to paint. I like to do some painting. I paint the Canning Stock Route and Well 17 at Puntawarri. My favourite thing is going out to Country, returning to Jigalong and Puntawarri, and painting about Country. Painting helps me be strong. My family and my culture is feeling proud. I feel happy when I paint - pukurlpa. Happy!"
Work with Judith Anya
Custom art commissions are available. Collaborating with you to conceive a unique composition, size and colour palette, Judith Anya is dedicated to creating an artwork that resonates with your business or cause.
For more information contact Life Apparel and we will get you in touch with Judith Anya.
Story: We drink water at Puntawarri. We clean and dig that waterhole. This Country is Puntawarri. My nanna, (deceased Martumili artist Dadda Samson), taught me to paint this Country. Puntawarri is important because it is my pop’s, my nannas' husband’s, place. They camped there and went hunting for goanna or anything, kangaroo or turkey. At Puntawarri there are all the waterholes. Good hunting in this Country. There is still some Rabbit Proof Fence there.
When I paint, I think about my old people, my Elders, and the stories they used to tell me about walking around in Country. They used to walk around there, in our place. And now I'm painting it in my own style. In my own way, I tell these stories for the "old people". The ones who have passed away. Remembering my old people makes me feel strong.
Life Apparel is an approved signatory of the Indigenous Art Code. This ensures ethical trading, integrity, transparency, and accountability in dealings with First Nations Artists. The code empowers artists, supporting them in achieving fair and transparent commercial opportunities for their art.
We are strong champions of ethical practices in the industry and see the voluntary Code of Conduct as a pivotal means to achieve this, reinforcing our commitment to fostering a culture of respect and fairness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Artists.
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Acknowledgement Of Country
Life Apparel celebrates and acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Kombumerri families of the Yugambeh Language Region. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging for their generosity and custodianship of Country throughout Australia.
We recognise and honour the ongoing connection and deep spiritual relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to this Country, and acknowledge the unique role they play in caring for and protecting it for future generations. As an Australian-led boutique label and proud allies, we demonstrate our respect for First Nations peoples through our commitments to environmentally sustainable and ethical business practices. We recognise their continuing connection to land and waters, and thank them for protecting our natural resources and ecosystems.
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