Peter Gooloou Thomas / Dumbun (Owls) (19757)

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.

This painting by Peter Thomas is a tribute to the late Hector Jandany, a respected Gija artist and cultural leader from Warmun, and to his well-known Dumbun (Owl) Dreaming story.

Hector’s work often drew from his traditional country at Goonawayinji (Pocket Springs), where the Owl Dreaming is set. In this story, two owls sit within a cave, watching as two young boys steal food from Boodarril, the Lizard. The owls carry this knowledge, and when the theft is revealed, the boys are punished and trapped within the rock, which closes over them. The site remains a place of cultural significance, tied to both story and landscape.

In Peter’s interpretation, the two owl figures are rendered in bold, simplified form against a dark background, their presence both watchful and symbolic. The surrounding ochre tones suggest the hills and cave of the story, grounding the figures within Country.

The composition reflects the influence of Hector’s distinctive style — minimal, strong and deeply connected to place — while also carrying Peter’s own raw and instinctive approach to painting.

Through this work, Peter honours Hector Jandany’s legacy and the stories he carried, continuing their presence through a new generation. It is both a tribute and a continuation — keeping the story of Dumbun alive on Gija Country.