Goompi has traced his Aboriginal lineage as far back as possible to Pialba in Queensland.
Upon European contact and settlement, his 2 female ancestors who were coincidentally gathered from the same region and placed on the Pialba mission. Knowledge of the specific tribes both women came from in that area is not yet verified. Both women found themselves being shifted to the Tweed Heads region where it became their new home.
The generations that came after were born and lived on Minjungbal tribal land and have remained in the area ever since.
Goompi though was born on the neighbouring Kombumerri tribal land of the Gold Coast. Where he has lived between the 2 tribal areas all of his life to date.
He was a young teen when he was taught by a few local elders who had cultural connection to the area and knowledge, storyline’s and local history to pass on.
Practicing culture now for over 30 years now Goompi shares the knowledge passed on by those elders with their permissions, through his art and storytelling.
Goompi was also taught dances as a teen by locals in Tweed and was a part of the Minjungbal dance troupe initially for a short time. Before he joined another dance troupe from North Stradbroke island that were presenting song and dance daily at the Currumbin Wildlfe Sanctuary.
The 4 (Walker) brothers from this troupe who are Nunuccal people, were a big part of Goompi’s cultural teachings. Continuously he learnt a lot from them while permanently presenting songs and dances for a decade in that troupe.
Goompi still showcases these songs and dances today via his own dance troupe, Bundjalung Kunjiel.
Bureibun (Saltwater Dream) was Goompi’s first solo exhibition in 2017 with Gallery One followed by Yarga ya Gwong (wind & rain) in 2018 and Goompi Dreaming in 2019. The stories of Goompi’s skin father are expressed in detailed intricate dot patterns and fluid line work combining neutral landscape tones with the vivid hues of the rainforest and coastal habitat. Goompi is inspired by the connection to Kombemerri country where Goompi was born and raised. Goompi is a proud tribal man, paying his respect to his mentors and teachers, he is dedicated to presenting his culture in various artistic forms such as dance, song, language and visual expression. Laying his culture out on canvas is as much a spiritual practice as it is a creative expression of storytelling. Each story is also recorded by Goompi in text on the back of the canvas creating a new dimension of perspective for the story-telling and image. Goompi has exhibited widely in South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales and internationally in France and Romania. Goompi’s art is held in public and private collections both in Australia and Overseas. Goompi’s art is found in the collections of The Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A ) in Langley,Virginia, U.S, HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark and notable local businesses including Zarraffa’s Coffee Headquarters, John Deere Australia and Iconic at Kirra.
EXHIBITION:
10 + Exhibitions, Internationally and Nationally
Including sold out exhibitions at Gallery One Gold Coast
2022 Tadpul – Water Connection
2017 – Biren Bureibun ‘Saltwater Dream’
2018 – ‘Goompi Dreaming’
AWARDS & RECOGNITION:
2023 Paddington Art Award Winner
2022 ‘Connections’ Projection Mapped Visual experience.
2020 Paddington Art Award Finalist
2018 Paddington Art Award Finalist
2017 Opened the Steve Irwin Gala Dinner in Beverly Hills, CA with a tribal dance show
2015 Goompi Ugerabah solo show, Noosa
2014 Goompi Ugerabah solo show, Port Douglas
COLLECTIONS:
HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark
Villa World Australia
SAAB Defence & Security Australia
Sarina Russon Employment Services
Pacific Optics QLD
The Central Intelligence Agency (C.I.A) Langley, Virginia, USA
Iconic Kirra Hotel, Kirra, QLD
Wine Label commission by French winery, Grava Cellars owners Thomas from Domanies Tich , in Vardelais. The wine is Grand Grava sold at the cellar door as a limited run.
