Joseph is the second son of Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai and the grandson of Narputta Nangala Jugadai. His late Father, Smithy Zimran Tjampitjinpa, the brother of renowned artist Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, was a prominent member of the Haasts Bluff community with close ties to Kintore. Smithy was a key figure during the period when Papunya Tula Artists arranged for a dialysis unit to be set up at Kintore so that people could stay on community rather than move to Alice Springs away from country. Joseph paints the story of the 'Tingari Cycle' and 'Waru' (Bushfire) tjukurrpa (dreaming). He is also the keyboardist for the local Tjintu Desert Band, formerly Sunshine Reggae Band. He is one of a group of several young Ikuntji male artists who began painitng in early 2008.