Oscar Towa

As a young child in the village he experimented by painting with ground dirt and water. In 1987 he moved from the Highlands to Port Moresby where, like so many, he was unable to find work. With the support of fellow Chimbu Artists, John Siune and Mathias Kauage, who were in Port Moresby at this time, he taught himself to paint, initially copying images from magazines and books. He started off painting landscapes and slowly began experimenting with styles he saw others around him trying. These days he likes to mix the styles up. He lives and works in a house at 5 Mile but you can see his paintings most days at the Holiday Inn, Waigani, at Port Moresby.

There are many Chimbu artists in Moresby and Oscar is always happy to show young wantoks how to paint in an effort to keep them out of trouble. His young brother and daughter are showing promise. Oscar has exhibited in shows in Port Moresby, Goroka and Lae.