Watty Ngerdu was born after the First World War on Port George IV Mission, near Camden Sound and Augustus Island in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. He was one of the painters in the first and very early wave of commercial Wandjina art that was produced at Mowanjum. He served for many years as a community Elder and was a leader of the Mownajum community council at Wotjulum when it reformed in 1952. Ngerdu was principal composer for the Mowanjum Dance Company and a respected senior man.