By KATIE DE VERTEUIL
Internationally renowned indigenous artist Goompi Ugerabah (Stephen Larcombe) spent last week ‘in house’ at Noosa’s Nissarana Galleries.
A unique artist whose pieces are exhibited across the world, Goompi’s inaugural visit to the local gallery was seen as a great honour for owners Val Pasquale and Philip Ayres who hold a wide collection of his incredible works on show.
“We are very privileged to have this exhibit and be part of what Goompi is doing,” Val said.
“He has such a spiritual connection with his works and to have had the opportunity to have him here, in house has just been fantastic.”
Goompi was born into the Ngnarangwal and Minjungbal tribes of the Bundjalung nation (Gold Coast, Tweed Heads region NSW).
His original ancestors are however from the Pialba region Maryborough.
The leader of an aboriginal dance troupe, Goompi’s passion for painted began later in life.
“I was taught indigenous culture as a young boy but it wasn’t until ten years ago that I picked up a brush and started to tell our stories,” Goompi said.
“Before I would always do it through dance but painting is more personal as dance is in a group, when I paint it is just me and so I can tell the story in my way.”
At this present moment Goompi has an exhibition in Paris and upcoming displays in New York and then off to Croatia for another exhibition just to mention a few.
“My ancestors are painting through me,” Goompi said, chatting away while still keeping perfect precision in his design.
“Indigenous people have always been storytellers,” he continued.
“Whether that be through dance or oak on the wall.
“This is our history and I want to pass it on to as many people as I can, and each canvas is the medium through which I can do this.”
During his time at Nissarana Galleries, Goompi’s artworks drew great attention, in fact his first piece sold “on the completion of the last paint drop” and a further six have already been sold this past week.
While Goompi is now headed to New York, he has promised to return regularly to the gallery.
In the meantime, a variety of his pieces hang proudly in the local art space.
Nissarana Galleries is located at 5 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads.
