Ronnie was born around Muyinnga in around 1943, about 100km west of the Kintore Ranges across the West Australian border. His family travelled extensively across Pintupi territory, moving throughout this region and also in the area around Lake Mackay in the NT. They later joined relatives living in the newly settled Papunya community.

Ronnie started painting in 1971 with the founding group of Papunya painters. He moved with his family to Kintore in the early 80s, after the establishment of the Pintupi township in 1981, and later became Chairman of the Kintore Outstations Council. After a break of several years he resumed painting, and has since emerged as one of the masters of desert art. By the late 1980s and early 90s his distinctive graphic style attracted considerable attention. His paintings are remarkable for their vigour, bold designs and sense of profound spirituality.

He has participated in many group exhibitions, and in 1988 he won the Alice Springs Art Prize He was included in the 'Australian Perspecta 1993' at the Art Gallery of NSW. Ronnie's many successes have won him widespread acclaim. His work has been shown in international exhibitions many times and he is represented in major public and private collections.