Goompi meaning possum, is a descendant of the Gurreng Gurreng people in the Bundaberg region of Qld.
Born as Stephen Larcombe in 1981 on the Gold Coast, which is tribally known as ‘Kombemerri’ land.
Living on the Gold Coast and in Tweed Heads, Nsw all his life to date.
Goompi began to paint at the age of 25, after learning and practicing culture through song and dance in his early teens. The song and dance was taught to him by his teachers and skin fathers (the Walker brothers) who are Nunukal people of Stradbroke Island, Qld.
Goompi was self taught as an artist by understanding different techniques from watching other Aboriginal artists from around Australia. Using dot formations to create imagery of native animals in his area.
Realising he had creative skill, Goompi took the initiative to quickly form his own style, making sure it was unique and unlike any other artist. Transitioning to abstract he represented his stories with larger dots in black, grey and white colour tones. These colours being similar to ochres found in his area.
This attracted attention rather quickly of many different collectors and galleries within Australia.
Over the years using acrylics he has updated his style by adding sandy colour tones to his works to maintain a saltwater feel which represents his birthplace. In some rare works Goompi has also used brighter colours to represent the rainforest and freshwater areas of his home land.
Goompi creates works that are highly sought after and acquired by collectors from all around the world.
Most of his exhibitions are in hand selected galleries within Australia and the open nights are always a hit. Goompi and his tribal dance troupe presents a display of singing, didgeridoo and dancing. Outlining that song and dance is the same as “Aboriginal art”. The two ways are methods Aboriginal people used to tell their stories since time began.
Exhibiting overseas is at the top of Goompi’s list after already doing so in Romania and France, these opportunities have sparked his passion to travel and showcase his cultural stories and art works to the world.
Goompi has sold out numerous exhibitions and is achieving more accolades every year as he continues in the art industry.
So it’s no wonder he receives titles such as “One of Australia’s leading Indigenous artist of today”.
Follow Goompi via the the links to his social media for regular updates on his work, travels and career.
RECENT COMMISSIONS
SAAB Defence and Security Iconic Hotel, Kirra Qld
Sarina Russo Employment Services
Pacific Optics Qld
Your Town Prize Homes Qld
Zaraffas Headquarters Beenleigh Qld
BSPN Architecture Brisbane Qld
Villa World Gold Coast Qld
Iconic Hotel, Kirra Qld
ACHIEVEMENTS
Naidoc Gold Coast, QLD Council Chambers exhibition 2009, 2010, and 2011.
National Parks and Wildlife, 2009 and 2011 Ballina Art Gallery, NSW.
Exhibited at Crown Plaza Gold Coast,QLD. Reconciliation Week 2011.
Sold-out solo exhibition at Port Douglas in Jan 2014
Sold-out solo exhibition at Noosa in March 2015
Exhibited in “Dreaming Exhibition” in Bucharest Romania Oct 2015
Open night sell out, solo exhibition at Gallery One – Gold Coast Qld. 2017
Sell out, solo exhibition at Gallery One – Gold Coast Qld. 2018
Finalists in 2018 Paddington Art Prize
Finalist in the 2020 Paddington art Prize
CURRENT GALLERIES
– Gallery One ‘The Brickworks Centre’ Southport Qld
-Kate Owen Gallery – Rozelle Nsw.
Prints
Limited edition prints on rag paper of selected Goompi artworks are available via Fine Print Co in Burleigh Heads Qld.
Please contact them for the range or look for “Goompi” under the Aboriginal art heading on their website.
