Samantha Yilpi Burke b. 1986

Samantha Yilpi Burke is a Pitjantjatjara woman, born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and raised in Kaltukatjara (Docker River) in the Northern Territory. She now lives in Mantamaru (Jameson), Western Australia, where she moved after marrying and starting her family. Samantha's weaving practice has grown through close family connections - learning by watching her aunty, Thelma McLean, and her cousin, Tjanpi artist and arts worker Cynthia Burke. Samantha has a natural affinity for sculptural work, with a particular love for creating animals, especially papa (dogs). She enjoys experimenting with different techniques, from stitching and shaping, to exploring colour and materials, bringing a sense of curiosity and playfulness to her practice. Samantha has been teaching her daughter Krishalia Smith how to make Tjanpi, and Krishalia often helps her mum make sculptures at home. Samantha has also taken to supporting her mother, Wilma Hazel Roy, as she builds her confidence in tjanpi making, as well as lending a hand to teach other younger weavers in Mantamaru (Jameson) and Kaltukatjara (Docker River). Tjanpi Desert Weavers (Tjanpi meaning ‘wild grass’) is an award-winning, Indigenous governed and directed social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council (NPYWC). Tjanpi empowers over 400 women across a 350 000 square km area of the tri-state region of NT, SA and WA to earn an income and remain in their communities on Country.