Biography:
Peter Thomas was born in 04/06/1975, in Wyndham, Western Australia to Father- Paddy Thomas & Mother- Mary Thomas.
Aside to being an artist, Peter 's mother was known as the Bush Medicine expert & a powerful healer in community. She carried on her ancestors knowledge & wisdom; and knew every plant on Gija Country, their names, medicinal properties, preparation & use. Peter's father passed away when Peter was only a young boy,
Peter was mainly raised by Madigan Thomas- one of the five co founder of WAC, law woman, cultural leaders and huge Gija artists, and her husband Mr. Sandy Thomas.
As a young boy, he and his brothers were disciplined by their old people. They were often taken out bush, out on country, sometimes for weeks at a time.
The old people taught them culture, language, dreamtime stories, ceremony, songs and dance. Alongside to important life skills and critical knowledge of traditional bush medicine, ‘reading’ country; tracking and survival skills; they showed the young boys how to live and thrive out bush, in and on country and its stunning but extreme and challenging climate and landscapes.
Peters’ cultural calling started when he was only 5 years old, when he performed the Joonba for the first time, as part of the celebrations of the new school building opening.
Now, he is one of Warmun's cultural leader & advisors; continuing to pass on the knowledge and wisdom they learnt, protecting their culture and land, encouraging the younger generation to follow the ancestor’s footstep so the Gija culture lives for many more generations to come.
Peter Thomas (and two of his brothers) were recruited to the Army to the all-Gija Kimberley Squadron. They served their country with honour and pride.
Just over 100 years after some of the worst massacres known in the East Kimberley region took place, redemption and recognition has occurred with the help of two great friends of the Gija people, Major Mac Jensen OAM RFD JP and the man and the legend, war hero Mr Keith Payne VC AM.
In April 2019, the Gija's men important military service was finally recognised when Major Jensen and Mr Payne organised a big medal presentation ceremony at Warmun. The whole community came out to watch Mr Payne pin medals on these men's chests, in front of families, friends and community members, in Warmun Art Centre's premises.
This is the only time known that Mr. Payne has ever presented medals.
Peter Thomas is a directors for WAC, also elected as the Treasurer for WAC.
Peter only started painting only on March 2024. Since he's already created amazing artworks; innovative, creative, unique they have been on high demand and an absolute 'hit'
He has also developed a whole line of products/merch called 'Gooloou Wear'
Peter was chosen (alongside to three other Gija men/veterans/artists) as the highly commended finalists in Napier Awards 2024, he was nominated to Art prizes as Archibald and Lester.2024
He paints mainly images and stories of the Joonba and the JUWARI (Devil's Spirit), as well as, country, landscapes, portraits, massacres, and dreamtime stories, passed on to him from his (Late) Mother- Mary.
