Painter warns about black buyers, forgeries

A FINE art painter says artists must be aware of black buyers and other people copying their work.
Chimbu native John Danger has been painting and selling his work in Port Moresby for more than 30 years.
“There are many black buyers, someone will come and say that no one will buy your paintings, you need bus fare so let me buy your paintings for K50, K60, they will get it and sell it for three to four times what they paid,” Danger explained.
“There are many black buyers who are not painters and artist.”
He said other people were copying his paintings.
“Before, painting was okay but nowadays, there are many copycats,” he said.
“If I do this, another will come and do it.”
Because of that Danger is now moving into framing his work and doing sketches with pencil, so that others will not copy from him.
“I am from Mt Wilhelm, my paintings are from the Highlands to the coast,” the father of three said.
Danger started painting when he was in primary school in Chimbu.
When he moved to Goroka, he continued to draw and paint until grade six.
He lived there before moving to Port Moresby as a young man.
“I have been here for over 30 years in Port Moresby,” he said.
“Now sales are not really good and our paintings crack and break.
“Painting is marketing, if you know how to talk, speak good English, you will be very quick to sell.
“You, a painter, must be a salesman. Don’t give your paintings to people to sell.”
John said he used to find it hard to talk with foreigners before.
“Before, when the white man came and you would be afraid to talk to them, but then how would you sell your paintings?”