Pegleg Tjampitjinpa was born circa 1920 and lived a traditional lifestyle in the region Central Australian desert region surrounding Wilkinkarra. Tjampitjinpa had no contact with western civilisation until 1957 when his family group encountered a Northern Territory Welfare branch control and were relocated to Papunya, West of Alice Springs.
Enouraged by his relation Pinta Pinta at Walungurru (Kintore), Pegleg started painting. His artworks are reminiscent of early Papunya Tula artists from early 1970’s, i.e. a limited palette and focus on Tingari designs. Peg Leg was co-husband to the artist sisters Mary Brown Napangardi and Margaret Brown Napangardi
After Pinta Pinta‘s death and due to failing eyesight Pegleg stopped painting until the late 1990’s when an eye operation restored his sight.
Pegleg’s paintings featured in the important exhibition at the Art Gallery of NSW ‘Papunya Tula – Genesis and Genius’ in 2000′. He is represented in major public and private collections throughout Australia