Reg Mombassa

Christopher "Chris" O'Doherty, also known by the pseudonym Reg Mombassa, is an Australian New Zealand-born artist and musician. Resident in Australia, he is known there for both for his artworks and his musical exploits, as a founding member of the band Mental As Anything and member of Dog Trumpet (alongside his brother Peter O'Doherty (born 1958)). Worldwide, he is perhaps better known for his irreverent designs for surfwear company Mambo Graphics many of which were later adapted for use in a segment of the Sydney 2000 Olympics closing ceremony.

In Mombassa's words he is inspired by "the wind, semi-professional birthday clowns, heavy machinery and the behaviour of domestic animals". He is married with three children, one of whom is comedian Claudia O'Doherty, and lives in the Sydney suburb of Glebe.

Mombassa was born Christopher O'Doherty in Auckland, New Zealand, on 14 August 1951. O'Doherty, his parents and younger brother Peter immigrated to Sydney, Australia, in 1969. He enrolled in what is now the National Art School in Darlinghurst in 1969 but left the following year. He returned again in 1975 and obtained his Diploma of Painting in 1977. Between his stints at college and whilst there he supported himself with menial jobs such as builder's labouring, cleaning, house painting and working on the railways. In 1976 he formed the rock band Mental as Anything with four fellow art school students ostensibly to play art school parties. Whilst never intending to be a serious band, the Mentals, as they became known, eventually turned professional (after Mombassa's graduation from college) and went on to become one of Australia's most popular bands, touring widely in Australia and overseas.

Mombassa's artwork is in two distinctive styles. The type of artwork he designs for Mambo – almost cartoonish and in vivid colours, incorporating religious, political and popular culture themes – is probably the style he is most widely known for. However his landscapes and portraits, many of which are inspired by his childhood in New Zealand, are equally sought after. His artworks can be found in the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the National Gallery of Australia and other important regional galleries. The late Patrick White, Elton John and Ewan McGregor have all famously purchased his work.

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