Dana Anaru

Dana, a proud Wajarri woman, was born in Perth and has spent most of her life in Mount Magnet. Though she moved away at times for education and career opportunities, her deep connection to her mother’s and grandparents’ Country eventually brought her back home to raise her own children.

Dana began painting at the age of 12 and recalls it as one of the highlights of her childhood in Mount Magnet. Since then, she has exhibited and sold her work widely. One of her pieces, Dishes, was featured by the CSIRO in an advertising brochure for the 2015 Balagardi Barnagardi (“Across To The Other Land”) Art Exhibition. In 2018, she completed a mural Beckenham Primary school and was also invited as the guest artist at Chisholm Catholic School during NAIDOC Week. Her art continued to gain recognition, with Beckenham Primary School using her designs for their uniforms in 2021.

Dana’s work is deeply inspired by the stories passed down to her by elders. “When I paint, I have to see the image first in my mind—then I start working,” she says.