Born Christopher O’Doherty, Reg Mombassa is one of Australia’s most iconic contemporary
artists, with a practice spanning painting, drawing, printmaking, music and design. Alongside
his work as a musician with ‘Mental As Anything’ and ‘Dog Trumpet’, he has built a major visual
art career over several decades. His imagery is unmistakable–humorous, strange, spiritual and
sharply observant, drawing together suburban life, the Australian landscape, folklore, politics
and the absurd.
‘Up the Golden Highway’ brings together works inspired by travels through the Blue Mountains,
Mudgee and Cassilis, alongside imagery connected to the bold visual language that became
synonymous with the Mambo label. These works combine cartoon-like drawing, surreal humour
and sharp satire, often featuring recurring figures such as robots, business horses and the
irreverent icon of ‘Australian Jesus’.
Mombassa’s connection to Cassilis was shaped by his long friendship with influential Sydney
gallerist Frank Watters, whose gallery represented him from 1975 until its closure in 2018. Watters owned a bushland property near Cassilis, where Mombassa and his wife Martina regularly visited. During these stays, Mombassa made drawings and photographs of the landscape, as well as works developed from journeys through regional New South Wales while touring with his bands.
This exhibition brings together landscape works and allegorical images referencing history, religion, politics and popular culture, reflecting a deep and enduring engagement with the
Australian landscape.
