Peter Gooloou Thomas / Juwari – The Devil Spirit, the Old Lady and the Snake (19624)

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 dramatic series, Peter explores the story of Juwari – the Devil Spirit, along with the Old Lady and the Snake. The paintings carry forward an important Gija narrative that speaks of power, ceremony and the forces that shape both land and life.

Juwari is a formidable spirit being – a presence of both creation and disruption, tied to the energies of Country, the seasons, and the shifting elements. The story, as shared by senior Gija Elder Patrick Mung and cultural leader Jane Yalunga (now deceased, daughter of the renowned Rover Thomas), tells of three Juwari spirits: one from Wyndham, one from Gija Country, and one from further south. Each carried its own Joonba (ceremonial dance). They came together to prove which one held the strongest song and power.

The Gija Juwari prevailed, leading to the birth of Gurrir Gurrir – a major song and dance ceremony that was given to Rover Thomas in a dream. This marked the beginning of one of the most significant cultural movements in Gija history.

Peter’s raw and instinctive style – with its bold ochre forms, dotted borders and expressive figures – conveys the drama of this contest and the enduring presence of these ancestral beings. The Old Lady and the Snake, both powerful figures within the story, embody wisdom, warning and transformation, weaving their way across the composition.

Through these paintings, Peter honours the strength of ancestral law, the vitality of Joonba, and the continuing connection between land, spirit and people. Each work becomes more than an image on canvas: it is a visual echo of ceremony and story still alive on Gija Country.