Reg Mombassa immigrated to Australia from New Zealand with his family in 1969 at the age of 18.  He attended the National Art School in Sydney from 1969-70 and from 1975-1977.  He formed the rock band "Mental as Anything" in 1976 with four other art students and toured with the band until April 2000 (a period of 25 years) deciding then to concentrate on his art.  

His first painting exhibition was held at Watter’s Gallery in Sydney in 1975.   In 1991 he formed the band Dog Trumpet with his brother Peter O'Doherty and the band performs live occasionally.  Chris/Reg began working as a freelance artist in 1976 designing T-shirts and posters for organizations such as Greenpeace and Circus Oz.   He has worked closely with Mambo Graphics since 1986 designing t-shirts and posters.  Among the bands he has designed record covers for are Crowded House, Mondo Rock and Paul Kelly.

In 2000 he designed the "Hero's" segment for the Sydney 2000 Olympics Closing Ceremony. An image of Reg's appeared on an Australian stamp, as part of the Rock Posters Series release. He has been selected for the 2005 Sulman and Dobell Drawing Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and has held many solo exhibitions, including a 2006 exhibition at Impressions on Paper Gallery

Reg Mombassa is represented by Watters Gallery, Sydney.