Clarise Tunkin b. 1993

Clarise Tunkin was born in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and grew up in the small community of Kanpi, about 20km south of the Northern Territory border at the base of the Mann Ranges. Clarise hails from a region of great artistic heritage, and is part of a large and talented family of artists. Her mother, Teresa Baker, her Aunty Kani (Patricia) Tunkin and grandmother Kay Baker (daughter of the famed Jimmy Baker) are all celebrated artists from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia. 

Like many of the women in her family, Clarise paints the story of a spiritual ancestor, Malilu. From her mother Teresa and grandmother Kay, Clarise learnt about her country and the sacred stories associated with it, including the story of Minyma (meaning "woman") Malilu - she fondly remembers visiting Malilu's cave with her mother at age fifteen. Ceremony and songs are still performed by the women where Malilu’s cave is situated.

Clarise only began painting in 2012, and in just 2015, she was selected as a finalist in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards, recognising her quickly blooming talent. Clarise is part of an exciting new generation of artists, creating rich, energetic works. She has demonstrated a masterful ability to use negative space and create intriguing high contrast compositions on her canvases. Clarise has two children and already, still early in her artistic career, she is a much sought-after artist.