Ronnie Tjampitjinpa was born around 1943 near Muyinnga, about 100 km west of the Kintore Ranges in Western Australia and some 500 km west of Alice Springs. His family travelled widely across Pintupi Country, through this region and around Wilkinkarra (Lake Mackay), which straddles the WA–NT border. He was initiated at Yumari, near his birthplace.

Ronnie first came in from the bush at Yuendumu, then joined relatives at Papunya, where he worked as a labourer fencing the airfield.

Ronnie started painting around 1971, as the desert art movement was beginning at Papunya, and over the following years moved between Papunya, Yuendumu and Mt Doreen Station. He went on to paint with Papunya Tula Artists for more than four decades.

His work follows the Pintupi style of strong circles joined by connecting lines, representing people, Country and the Dreaming. Over time he developed it into bold geometric forms and repeated lines in bright colour, with a striking, almost hypnotic effect.