Born in the Kintore Range, Johnny Scobie Tjapanangka grew up in the bush and later came to Lajamanu with his parents. Though he was one of Papunya Tula’s original shareholders, he didn’t paint until 1975. He was the first chairman of the Warlungurru (Kintore) Council after the Pintupi moved back to their traditional lands in 1981 and was deeply involved in the success of the new community. He resumed painting in this period, often enlisting his wife, Narpula Scobie Napurrula, sister of Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula, to paint the dotted backgrounds.

His work is held in significant public collections in Australia.