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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that this website contains images of deceased persons.

The Gallery’s Acknowledgement of Country, and information on culturally sensitive and restricted content and the use of historic language in the collection can be found here.

Get Wet series (Reg Mombassa)

1979
Paul Worstead

screenprint on paper (image: 74.7 cm x 49.7 cm, sheet: 75.9 cm x 50.9 cm)
Get Wet series (Reg Mombassa)

Paul Worstead (b. 1950) met these five band members while they were all at art school, and it was he who gave them the name Mental As Anything. Worstead designed the cover for the band's first album, 'Get Wet' (1979), as well as three series of posters promoting Mental As Anything releases, including 'Get Wet', 'Creatures of Leisure' (1983) and 'Garage' (1998). He has designed album covers for a number of other well-known Australian recording artists, such as the Sports and Stephen Cummings. Worstead is a designer for the surf and streetwear label, Mambo.

Collection: National Portrait Gallery
Purchased with funds from the Basil Bressler Bequest 2001
© Paul Worstead

The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. Works of art from the collection are reproduced as per the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). The use of images of works from the collection may be restricted under the Act. Requests for a reproduction of a work of art can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

Chris O'Doherty (Reg Mombassa)

Self Portrait with spots and veins

Portrait story: 2 minutes

An interview with iconic Australian artist, Chris O'Doherty (otherwise known as Reg Mombassa)
2001.44.e
Currently not on display
Request a digital copy for publication

Artist and subject

Paul Worstead (age 29 in 1979)

Chris O'Doherty (age 28 in 1979)

Subject professions

Performing arts

Visual arts and crafts

Supported by

Basil P. Bressler (48 portraits supported)

Related portraits
(View all 11)

Get Wet series (Peter O'Doherty)
Get Wet series (Martin Plaza)
Get Wet series (David Twohill)
Get Wet series (Greedy Smith)
1. Get Wet series (Peter O'Doherty), 1979. 2. Get Wet series (Martin Plaza), 1979. 3. Get Wet series (David Twohill), 1979. 4. Get Wet series (Greedy Smith), 1979. All Paul Worstead.

Related information

The Companion

Permanent collection catalogue

Café and shop

On one level The Companion talks about the most famous and frontline Australians, but on another it tells us about ourselves: who we read, who we watch, who we listen to, who we cheer for, who we aspire to be, and who we'll never forget. The Companion is available to buy online and in the Portrait Gallery Store.

Chris O'Doherty (Reg Mombassa)

Self Portrait with spots and veins

Portrait story

An interview with iconic Australian artist, Chris O'Doherty (otherwise known as Reg Mombassa)
Self portrait with Spots and Veins
Self portrait with Spots and Veins
Self portrait with Spots and Veins
Self portrait with Spots and Veins

Mental as everything

Magazine article by Diana Warnes, 2006

Chris O'Doherty, also known as Reg Mombassa, is best-known for his Mambo imagery but he also paints a lot of self portraits.
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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders past and present. We respectfully advise that this site includes works by, images of, names of, voices of and references to deceased people.

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The National Portrait Gallery respects the artistic and intellectual property rights of others. The use of images of works of art reproduced on this website and all other content may be restricted under the Australian Copyright Act 1968 (Cth). Requests for a reproduction of a work of art or other content can be made through a Reproduction request. For further information please contact NPG Copyright.

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