Teresa Baker b. 1977

Teresa Baker was born in 1977 in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), and grew up just south of the Northern Territory border in Kanpi, a small community in the APY Lands. Teresa began painting in 2005 and has learnt her craft from the inestimable artist Jimmy Baker, her grandfather. Her mother, Kay Baker, is also a highly regarded and widely collected artist.

Jimmy Baker, Teresa’s grandfather, taught Teresa about the associated Tjukurrpa (Dreamings, stories) of her country, which she now depicts in her paintings. Teresa is continuing the tradition by teaching her daughters, Clarise and Sophia Tunkin, the stories and painting technique. Clarise is now a highly successful emerging artist and Sophia is a quickly rising star. 

Teresa’s style is rich in colour and story, defining aspects of her physical and spiritual country. Teresa paints the story of Minyma Malilu, a spiritual ancestor, who travelled from the west following her daughters who ran away with the "wrong" man. When she found them, she dug a cave nearby to live in, so she could keep watch over her daughter.

Teresa is a highly recognised and outstanding artist, imbuing traditional story onto the canvas while achieving a very contemporary aesthetic. Teresa has been a finalist in the AGNSW Wynne Prize and her work is exhibited Internationally and nationally. Teresa’s paintings have been collected by major public and private collectors, institutions and galleries.