Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer was born in Alice Springs. She has grown up and spent most of her life in Yuendumu. After finishing high school she gained qualifications in administrative work. She has held a number of administrative positions including 13 years working for the Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) in Lajamanu before transferring to the Yuendumu Administration Office. She has also worked for Warlpiri Media, CDEP Council, and the Yuendumu Library and is currently employed with the Shire Council. She is married to Raymond Robert Pluto and they have one son.
Ruth has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since she was a teenager. Her grandfather and grandmother told her the stories of her Jukurrpa (Dreaming) but it was Daisy Napanangka Nelson (1930 – 2001), who also painted with Warlukurlangu Artists, and Ruth’s Number two Grandmother and Big Sister (Wendy and Alma Sims) who taught her Yanjirlpirri Jukurpa (Star Dreaming) painting. Ruth often travels and visits family in Lajamanu, Balgo, and Kalkaringi.
