Peter Gooloou Thomas / Alice Downs (Birrno Country) (19863)

Peter Gooloou Thomas was born in 1975 in Wyndham, Western Australia, and grew up on Gija Country in the East Kimberley. His father, Paddy Thomas, passed away when Peter was still a young boy, and much of his upbringing was guided by his mother, Mary Thomas, and by the respected Warmun elders Madigan and Sandy Thomas.

Peter’s mother, Mary, was renowned in the community as a gifted bush medicine expert and healer. She carried an extraordinary depth of knowledge of Gija Country – every plant, its name, its medicinal properties, and its preparation and use. Her wisdom and cultural teachings left a profound impression on Peter and continue to inspire his life and art.

As a child, Peter and his brothers were often taken out bush by the old people. These trips sometimes lasted weeks and were a vital part of their education. They learned language, Dreaming stories, songs and dance, as well as the skills needed to live on country – tracking, reading the land, survival skills, and traditional bush medicine. Peter’s cultural journey began early; at just five years old, he performed the Joonba dance for the first time during the celebrations for the opening of the Warmun school.

Today, Peter is a cultural leader in his community, committed to passing on the knowledge, traditions and stories that were entrusted to him. He continues to guide younger generations, ensuring the strength and continuity of Gija culture and law.

Peter and two of his brothers also served their country as part of the all-Gija Kimberley Squadron in the Australian Army. In 2019, the service of Gija men in the military was formally recognised in a special medal ceremony at Warmun, presented by war hero Mr Keith Payne VC AM and Major Mac Jensen OAM RFD JP – a moving moment for Peter and his community.

Peter began painting in March 2024 and has quickly established himself as an exciting new voice in contemporary Gija art. His work has a raw, naïve energy that feels immediate and unfiltered, with bold ochre colours, strong silhouettes and dotted borders that speak to both tradition and personal storytelling. His paintings draw on Joonba stories, Juwari (Devil Spirit) figures, ancestral narratives and the rugged landscapes of his country. He also honours the memory of his late mother by depicting the stories she shared with him. Peter’s innovative style has resonated strongly with collectors, and his works have been in high demand since his debut.

In his first year as an artist, Peter achieved remarkable recognition:

• 2024 – Finalist, Lester Prize
• 2024 – Honourable Mention, Napier Waller Art Prize

In 2025, Peter was selected as one of the Rising Stars at the prestigious Outstation Gallery exhibition in Darwin, further cementing his reputation as one of the most exciting new voices in contemporary Aboriginal art.

Beyond painting, Peter has created a line of wearable art showcasing his creativity and connection to culture in new ways.

In this painting, Peter depicts the landscape of Alice Downs Station, known in Gija language as Birrno Country, the Country of his late mother, Mary Thomas, who was born and raised there in the East Kimberley.

Located south of Warmun (Turkey Creek), Alice Downs is a vast area of traditional Gija land shaped by rolling hills, permanent waterholes and river systems including the Jurrumi and Panton Rivers. For generations, Birrno Country has been rich in Ngarrangkarni (Dreaming) stories and has long been a place where Gija families travelled for hunting, fishing and camping.

Using flowing lines and layered organic forms, Peter maps the creeks, waterholes and pathways that move across the land. The large ochre forms represent important places within the landscape, while the winding bands and dotted lines suggest the movement of water and the natural contours of Country.

The rich palette of golds, reds, browns and black reflects the dramatic colours of the Kimberley landscape, from sunlit plains and rocky outcrops to shaded watercourses and ancient hills.

Through this work, Peter honours his mother’s connection to Birrno Country and the enduring cultural and family ties that continue to bind Gija people to this remarkable landscape.