Born in Alice Springs, Clarise Tunkin is part of a large and talented family of artists. Her mother, Teresa Baker a Pitjantjatjara woman from Kanpi, aunty Kani (Patricia) Tunkin and grandmother Kay Baker (daughter to the famed Jimmy Baker) are all celebrated artists. Clarise paints the one story of a spiritual ancestor called, Malilu.  She fondly remembers visiting Malilu’s cave with her mother at age fifteen. From her mother, she learnt about her country and the sacred stories associated with it. Today, ceremonies and songs are performed by the women where Malilu’s cave is situated.  Clarise has two children and already, early in her artistic career, she is a much sought-after artist.