Walangkura Napanangka was born around 1946 in Tjiturulnga, Kintore, in the far west of the Northern Territory. 

When she was young her family walked hundreds of kilometres to reach food and water at the newly established settlement of Haasts bluff, where they stayed for a number of years before returning to their homeland. 

Walangkura comes from a family of artists, her parents, Inyuwa Nampitjinpa and Tutuma Tjapangati, and her sister, Pirrmangka Napanangka, are all respected artists. Her husband, Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula, is also an artist of note. 

Walangkura began painting through the Kintore-Haasts Bluff canvas project. In 1996 she began painting for Papunya Tula artists, a highly respected arts centre. 

Walangkura’s work depicts the dreaming stories and ceremonial sites associated with her traditional homeland. Her work is characterised by the use of a traditional palette, limited mostly to ochre tones such as oranges, browns, reds and yellows. Her use of free flowing lines and circular forms creates a sense of powerful energy. 
Walangkura’s work has been widely exhibited and is included in a number of important private and public collections in both Australia and overseas.