Reg Mombassa (a.k.a Chris O Doherty) has been a musician, clothing designer for Mambo and artist. His work is instantly recognisable, characterised by a fusion of the mundane – even suburban – and surreal, producing whimsical images that can pack a progressive punch. 

In the rare oil painting ‘Brown Armchair’, he paints an armchair like a person – framing something to be sat on into something to be seen. This chair is from the Windsor Hotel, where Mombassa would stay on his visits to Melbourne. Recently, the hotel has evolved into a temporary site for contemporary art, making this an unlikely portrait of an unlikely gallery.

An Antipodean icon, Mombassa is one of Australia’s most collected, celebrated and recognised contemporary artists. From playing with Mental As Anything to being collected by Patrick White, Elton John and the National Gallery of Australia, Mombassa continues to feature in the collective imagination, living on walls, album covers and t-shirts across Australia.

Reg MOMBASSA (1951 - )
'Brown Armchair'
Oil on board
Image Size: 20 x 25 cm
Physical dimensions: 20 x 25 x 2cm
Signed: Signed lower right 'Reg M'

Condition: Very Good. Describes a work of art's image as Excellent, but may show some small signs of surrounding wear to board. There are no tears to paper margin or disruption to the paint surface.

(c) The Artist or Assignee