Art & Culture
MASTERS OF THEIR ART NOTEWORTHY PNG PAINTERS BY GRACE MARIBU | PHOTOGRAPHS: GRACE MARIBU
ALBERT JOSEPH is the fastest-rising, highest-selling fine artist in Papua New Guinea. His signature portraits are highlighted by his use of strong, vibrant colours that take traditional PNG portraiture to another level. He is often commissioned by business people and politicians to paint portraits and he exhibited at the 2018 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders’ Summit in Port Moresby. Joseph has a degree in graphics and multimedia from the University of PNG and a Diploma in Creative Industries from the University of Goroka. He is from Western Highlands Province. Joseph is pictured next to one of his works, titled The Tribal Warrior of Kaluli. See more on Facebook at ‘Joseph’s Art’.
LABEN SAKALE has established a balance between his passion of painting and making a living. He almost gave painting away at one stage, but his paintings can now sell for up to PGK12,000, with a clientele that includes collectors, heads of companies, diplomatic missions and expatriates. He uses a variety of tools, some unconventional, in his painting, including broken glass, kitchen and butter knives. He draws inspiration from Papua New Guinean themes. Sakale has held exhibitions in Germany, the US, New Zealand and Australia. His pieces are in private and public collections around the world, including the Australian National Museum, Her Majesty’s Collection at Buckingham Palace, and the World Bank headquarters in Washington DC. He has a Diploma in Fine Art from the University of PNG. He comes from Menyamya in Morobe Province. See more on Facebook at ‘Laben Sakale’. 48 PNG NOW SEPTEMBER 2020