An Aboriginal artist and professional surfer who grew up in Coffs Harbour is about to open an exhibition in Sydney, focusing on the ocean as a totemic symbol of his people, the Gumbaynggirr.

Otis Carey won this year's Australian Indigenous Surfing Titles at Bells Beach and does art work for Billabong, which sponsors him.

He has also recently done a project for a Google website.

The 29-year-old said his GAAGAL exhibition, which opens next week at the China Heights Gallery in Surry Hills, merged his contemporary optical art style with the Gumbaynggirr people's traditional forms and techniques.

He got into professional surfing after high school in Coffs Harbour and spent a stint in California and in Sydney.

Art helps surfer understand his heritage

Carey now lives between Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour.

He said it had only been in the past three years that he moved into painting and telling the story of his mother's people, the Gumbaynggirr.

Carey said that was when he started to understand himself better and where he was from, in particular his Indigenous heritage where his creativity stemmed from.

His first solo exhibition, in June 2016, followed the death of his much-loved grandmother and focused on connection to country.

Carey said his surfing background and connection to the Gumbaynggirr saltwater people had influenced GAAGAL.

"The English translation of the word gaagal is ocean, so the totem for the Gumbaynggirr people and the people who I'm from, the clan totem, is the ocean or water," he said.

"I wanted to break down traditional symbols and use them in contemporary ways, and share how I feel about the ocean."

Otis Carey wins Indigenous Surfing Titles , Bells Beach. Victoria, May 2017 ( Supplied: Otis Carey )

Finding inspiration in the ocean

Carey said the underlying pattern in his work was traditional symbols.

"The lines with the movements and the crossing over, underlying layers, that's the ocean itself," he said.

Billabong poster for Carey's exhibition in Laguna Beach California ( Supplied: Otis Carey Instagram )

"I find a lot of inspiration in the ocean, I find a lot of calm and power. It means a lot to me.

"If I need to be lifted up, I'll go out into the ocean, go for a surf."

Carey said walking along the coast and being near the water was "a huge part of who I am and how I portray myself".

"I'm still learning how to paint and tell certain stories," he said.

"As you get older you get a bit wiser. Your inspiration becomes a bit richer."

Carey said he was also finding positive ways to use his heightened profile, including giving surfing lessons to young Indigenous boys and girls.

"I also have my second range for Billabong coming out next month, which features Aboriginal art," he said.

"I decorate surfboards with Indigenous art as well."