Goompi Ugerabah
Goompi is a proud tribal man who has traces his Aboriginal lineage as far back as possible to Piabla in Queensland.
Upon European contact and settlement, his two female ancestors, were gathered from the same region and placed on the Pialba mission. Both women found themselves being shifted to the Tweed Heads region in NSW where it became their new home.
The generations that came after, were born and have lived on Minjungbal tribal land, remaining in the area ever since. Goompi was born on neighbouring Kombumerri tribal land of the Gold Coast, Qld, where he has lived between these two tribal areas all his life.
As a young teen, Goompi was taught all aspects of culture, from tribal dance, hunting, weapons making to native medicines and more. Having connection's to local elders and other culture teachers with tribal knowledge, Goompi had learnt a lot from them and gained permission to retell many stories through his art.
Goompi is an award winning artist, creating unique artworks with intricate dot patterns, fluid line work, whilst combines neutral landscape tones that represents the rainforest and coastal habitats that make up the local area.
Along with depictions of his own lived experience of practicing culture. Over 25 years now Goompi has continued to share his artworks, knowledge, tribal songs, dances and storytelling with people all around the world.
Goompi x Mick Fanning
We were lucky enough to work with Goompi for the 2024 event to bring to life his artwork and apply it some selected pieces in our merch range.
Goompi Artwork For MFCGD
Kingingyarra (oysters) Kingingyarra means oyster but also the wild hop bush. As they share the same dreaming. When the oysters are ready to harvest the hop bush blooms. The artwork depicts the oysters on the rocks along the local rivers and river inlets. The different shades of mud and water on low tide. The oysters out of the shells after they’re opened and scooped out. And the water trickling back across the rocks and mud as low tide returns to high again. I began harvesting oysters since I was a little boy, watching and learning from my grandmother, uncles and aunties, parents to gather a feed for the family. Just like my ancestors did as saltwater people.
Contact Goompi
