George Ward Tjungurrayi was born near the site of Lararra, southeast of Kiwirrkura circa 1945. George Ward is the youngest of three brothers; the late Yala Yala Gibbs (founding member of the Papunya art movement and senior custodian of secret/sacred men business) and Willy Tjungurrayi (one of the most sought after painters of the Western Desert). They were all sons of Pulpalpulpalnga Tjapaltjarri, but had different mothers.

In 1981 George and his family moved to the newly established Pintupi capital of Walungurru (Kintore) which is across the NT border, in the looming shadow of Mount Leisler. George observed the work of his brothers Yala Yala and Willy Tjungurrayi, who were among Papunya Tula's leading artists in Walungurru. After the death of his brother Yala Yala in 1998 the responsibility to paint fell squarely on Ward's shoulders. He began to paint in earnest, developing his own distinct style. The big lake site of Kaakuratintja (Lake Macdonald), which a large group of Tingari men travelled through on their way east, is often the subject of his paintings. In 2004 George won the prestigious 2004 Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. George has exhibited in many galleries throughout the past decade.