Willey thriving on late dad’s painting skill

By BOURA GORUKILA
WILLEY Kauage dropped out of school at Grade 10 in Chimbu because of tribal fights in the area.
His late father Mathias Kauage from Gembogl was famous for his painting skills, one of the country’s better known contemporary artists.
So Willey tried to learn as much as he could from him on his painting skills while he was around.
Not only he but also his brothers Andrew, Johnny Boy, Michael, Chris wanted to learn about what their dad was so famous for.
Even their mother Elizabeth from Kerowagi also got caught up in the family craze over painting
“All of us, my brothers Andrew, Johnny Boy, Michael, Chris and I are artists. My mother Elizabeth is also an artist.
“We all learnt painting in the house. We started painting in the house before exposing our work to the public.
“So far a lot of our paintings have been sold in other countries. When the name Kauage is seen on the paintings, people know that we are the children of our great father.”
Willey, 48, is the eldest of the five brothers.

“ Painting is in the blood. All of us, my brothers Andrew, Johnny Boy, Michael, Chris and I are artists. My mother Elizabeth is also an artist.”

He is now married and lives with his wife and three sons aged 12, 9 and 7 at Morata in Port Moresby
Willey began his education at the Pupnig Primary School before attending the Kondiu High School in Chimbu.
He dropped out after Grade 10 as he couldn’t continue his education because of tribal fights in the area.
When his father died in 2003, Willey decided to leave their home in Chimbu for Port Moresby to see how far his painting skills could take him.
His paintings are mostly black and white which were his father’s trademark.
“I use the styles and techniques that my father used. I am the only artist who does back and white paintings so there is no completion for me. My prices are standard.”
He sells paintings for between K700 and K1,200 depending on the sizes.
“Other paintings are in colour and you will see that the designs are up to a level. A lot of artist are into that so competition is tough for them. Their prices vary to win customers.”
Willey believes that the art industry in the country has grown because of them.
He watches young artists developing their skills today mostly from what they study at university. He thinks it is good to have more competition in the industry to give clients more choice.
Willey focused on painting when he arrived in Port Moresby knowing that the market already existed in the metropolis full of tourists and others looking for PNG souvenirs.
Painting is his sole source of income to support his family and he is happy to have acquired the skills from his late dad and keeping that Kauge painting brand alive.
“Painting is in the blood.”