RM (Ron) Gomboc

Search terms: sculpture, sculptor, bronze, steel, brass, concrete, wood, copper, mixed media, abstract sculpture, figurative sculpture

About the Artist

Ratimir Marijan Gomboc (better known as Ron) was born in Slovenia in 1947. The eldest of four children, Ron attended school in Croatia before immigrating at the age of 13 with his family to Australia, where he took up an apprenticeship in his father’s wood working business between 1961 and 1968.  Ron married in 1969, served in the Royal Australian Engineers for three years (receiving a National Service Medal) and in 1980 he purchased a 4.5 hectare property in the Swan Valley where he built his own home, studio and gallery.  The Gomboc Gallery Sculpture Park, which is managed, curated and funded by Ron and his wife, has been operating for 20 years, holding annual sculpture exhibitions and surveys as well as monthly changing exhibitions throughout the 4.5 hectares of the sculpture park. Having spent most of his youth in Europe, Ron was exposed early to art through the culturally rich surroundings.  He explains, “I was surrounded by sculpture, both monumental and religious, which encouraged a traditional appreciation for art.  My admiration for those sculptors who created some of the magnificent works inspired me to express myself in three dimensional work”.

His work reflects the human condition and spirit and the meaning of our existence.  Relationships and spiritual tolerance is an important message which he wishes to convey through his work.  In Australia Ron went on to study sculpture and printmaking at the Perth Technical College, as well as painting and drawing at Midland Tech with Guy Grey Smith.  He has continued over the years to build a successful career as a practicing artist as well as continue the successful operation of his gallery and sculpture park.  His achievements have been recognised and acknowledged through various awards including being the recipient of the Swan Citizen of the Year Award in 1991, the Western Australian  Week Citizen of the Year Award for his contribution to Arts and Culture in 1993, and The Centenary Medal for “Outstanding commitment to the community in raising the awareness of art”.  Ron has held numerous solo exhibitions in Europe, Asia and Australia and he has completed numerous private and public commissions including two 3.5 metre rearing horses that was commissioned by Brunei in conjunction with artist William E. Rees.

Recent Career Summary:
2003 Invited participant in International Sculpture Exhibition, Guang Zhou, China, organised and curated Gomboc Gallery Twentieth Anniversary Sculpture Exhibition "Sculpture Survey 03", JB Were Distinguished Invited Artist "Sculpture by the Sea", Bondi, NSW.

2002 Organised and curated exhibition of Western Australia artists for Melbourne ARTFAIR 2002, curated and participated "Six Western Australian Artists", Solander Gallery, Canberra, ACT, organised and curated Gomboc Gallery "Sculpture Survey 02".

2001 Participated "Sculpture by the Sea", Bondi, New South Wales, October, Organised and curated Gomboc Gallery "Sculpture Survey 01".

2000 Organised and curated exhibition of WA artists for Melbourne ARTFAIR 2000, Organised and curated Gomboc Gallery "Sculpture Survey 2000", Appointed as a member of the Midland College of TAFE Governing Council.

1999 Participated "Sculpture by the Sea", Bondi, New South Wales, October Organised and curated Gomboc Gallery "Sculpture Survey 1999".