Biography

(b. 1993) Clarise Tunkin is a leading light of the new generation of artists emerging from the APY Lands. Born into a true desert dynasty, she is a fourth-generation painter whose heritage reads like a history of Australian art. As the granddaughter of the iconic Jimmy Baker and daughter of Teresa Baker, Clarise carries a deep cultural weight—yet she translates it with a fresh, electric energy that is purely her own. Dreaming & Country: The Journey of Malilu Clarise’s work invites the viewer into the Minyma Malilu Tjukurpa (The Ancestor Woman Malilu). This is a powerful story of journey and resilience, following Malilu as she travels across the Mann Ranges to a sacred cave near Clarise’s home in Kanpi. Through her paintings, Clarise doesn't just show us a landscape; she shares the "map" of her home, revealing the hidden waterholes and ancient paths that have sustained her people for millennia. Style & Technique What sets Clarise apart is her incredible sense of rhythm. Her technique involves thousands of tiny, meticulous dots that create a "shimmer" on the canvas—a visual pulse that makes the desert seem to move. Her compositions shift beautifully between the vast scale of the desert and the intimate details of the earth, making her work feel both epic and deeply personal. A Modern Palette Clarise is celebrated for a fearless approach to colour that feels instantly at home in a contemporary space. She masterfully balances traditional, earthy ochres with striking bursts of "desert neon"—vivid magentas, cool blues, and brilliant whites. This interplay of colour creates a luminous, 3D effect that captures the changing light of the Central Australian sky. For the Collector A two-time finalist in the prestigious NATSIAA, Clarise is an artist of significant pedigree and proven talent. For the seasoned collector, her work represents a vital link in the Great Victoria Desert lineage. For the first-time buyer, her paintings offer a vibrant, accessible window.