Crusoe Kuningbal was born in the Middle Liverpool River region. He spent his early life working in buffalo shooters camps in Western Arnhem Land. During WWII he and other people from his tribe the Kuninjku moved to Milingimbi mission. After the war, Kuningbal returned to the Maningrida region and started to make bark paintings to sell at the local trading post. He later set up camp at Barrihdjowkkeng. He lived here with his wife Lena Kuriniya and raised his sons Crusoe Kurddal, Owen Yalandja and Tim Wulanibirr.

In 1968 Kuningbal produced the first of many tall slender Mimih spirit sculptures. These figures were originally used in the Mamurrna trade ceremony but it was Kuningbal who first depicted them in a sculptural form. He was an accomplished traditional singer and dancer. Kuningbal performed with his Mimih sculptures on occasions. He produced these sculptures until his death in 1984.