Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri was born on Napperby Station.

He worked extensively as a stockman on the cattle stations in and around his traditional country, and during this time developed an encyclopaedic knowledge of the Dreaming Trails that criss-cross the area to the north of the Western MacDonnell Ranges.

Tjapaltjarri has worked alternatively at Papunya and Mbunghara during the 70's and 80's. He now lives in Alice Springs, where he is well acknowledged as a leader of the dot painting movement.

His carreer as an artist began in the 50's carving snakes and goannas; by the 70's he was one of the most accomplished carvers in Central Australia. His first opportunity to paint came when one of Albert Namatjira's sons gave him paints and he was able to see the master at work. By the time Geoff Bardon, the catalyst for the painting movement, arrived at Papunya, Tjapaltjarri had already been employed in the Papunya school, teaching carving.

Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri is the most well-known of all the western desert painters. His work has been exhibited throughout the world including a one-man show at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London in August 1990 when he was presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Clifford's work 'Warlukalong' sold for AUD$2.4M in 2002, the then highest price for an indigenous work.