Katjarra was born near Tjukurla in WA (c 1946) and grew up in the bush with her extended family group. It was in 1966 that they were transported by truck to the settlement of Papunya.

Katjarra was the second wife to Anatjari Tjakamarra, one of the founding painters at Papunya. Her older sister Nguya was Anatjari's first wife. Her father was IilyiwaraTjungurrayi and her mother was Mangkatji Nangala.

Katjarra was born quite close to Kurlkurta and Puurrungu at a place called Kuun, where there is a waterhole. Kuun is the name for yellow ochre. There is also a place very close to Kuun that Katjarra refers to as her home and it is one of her tjukurpa or dreaming which she paints. It is called Kuurrmankutja. This place is home to the two kuniya (python) dreaming. The other dreaming that she paints is Marrapirnti.

Her paintings depict " tali' sandhills ,"puli"rocks & "kungka" women painting up & preparing for ceremony. Many of
her works include"kampurrarpa" or bush raisin which is collected. Her work has a rawness to it evoking the true feel of a desert sand mosaic.