Wanatjura Lewis was born in 1952 in Ernabella (Pukatja), in the remote lands of Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara, in the north-west of South Australia.  Her mother's homeland is Kunamata and her father's Pipalyatjara. She moved to Amata with her family. She has five children and eight grandchildren. 

Wanatjura Lewis first learnt the batik technique in Ernabella, before she began to paint the dreams she inherited, in particular that of the Seven Sisters and Wanampi Tjukurpa (creation stories).

Wanatjura Lewis is also very committed. Alongside her career as an artist, she is also director of the NPY Women's Council, which provides health, social and cultural services in the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) region of Central Australia.