Mathias Kauage
Mathias Kauage (c1944 – 2003) is the leading figure in the story of contemporary art in Papua New Guinea. He was an artist of extraordinary power, originality and vision – who founded an entire school of painting. During his lifetime he exhibited internationally in Europe, America and Australia. His works are held in the National Gallery of Australia, the National Gallery of PNG, the British Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.
He had a long and happy association with the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, having his first solo show in 1994. (His unforgettable appearance at the private view in his full ceremonial feather-headdress was recorded by the Independent.) In 2000 the gallery mounted the first major retrospective of Kauage’s work.
Born around 1944 in a remote village in the Simbu (Chimbu) highlands, Kauage had first contact with white people only when he was twelve. An Australian doctor arrived ‘in a big bird’ to vaccinate the villagers: Kauage bit the doctor on the arm – an incident recorded in his painting ‘Big Shoot’, now in the Cambridge Museum of Anthropology. (Rebecca chose the picture for the ‘My Favourite Painting’ feature in Country Life, 15 April 2009)
As a young man Kauage moved to Port Moreseby, the capital of PNG. There, while working as a school janitor, he began drawing, having seen the work of Timothy Akis, the first PNG artist to hold a western-style exhibition. Working under the mentorship of German artist Gerogina Beier at the National Arts School, Port Moresby, Kauage began to evolve his own personal vision – graphic, schematised, and blazoned with strong colour. He learnt printmaking techniques and copper-beating, as well as developing his control of his preferred medium - acrylic on canvas.
Kauage’s subject matter often deals with the juxtapositions and tensions of his two worlds, the stone-age life of his village, tied to the rhythms of nature and the ceremonies of traditional culture, and the ever-changing modern world of cars, trucks, helicopters and aeroplanes, of social diversity and Christian teachings, that threatens to impinge. His images had an immediate power and appeal that commanded attention – and admiration.
In 1997 Kauage was awarded an OBE for his services to art. He died in 2003. His distinctive style was also adopted by several of his friends and family, including his wife, Elizabeth Kauage, his son Djon Kauage, and his friend, Chris Kauage (no relation). Their works too have real merit, and continue to explore the interface between indigenous and contemporary traditions.
Listen to Mathias Kauage playing the Jew's Harp:
-
Man In Helicopter, n.d.
-
Untitled, n.d.
-
Man Driving Three Felas, n.d.
-
Young Girl with Floral Headress, n.d.
-
Untitled, n.d.
-
Two Birds In a Tree and a Warrior, c.1996
-
Master White Fella belongs to Police, c.1990
-
Boxing, 1999
-
A Young Policeman Waves Hello In The Night, 1999
-
Independence Celebration, 1999
-
Kauage Flies To Scotland For Opening of New Museum of Contemporary Art, 1999
-
The Many Faces, 1999
-
Two Birds of Paradise Feeding, 1998
-
Two Birds of Paradise Feeding, 1998
-
Captain Cook Discovering Australia, 1998
-
Satellite, 1997
-
Two Birds of Paradise, 1996
-
Soldiers on Bougainville Island, 1996
-
Smoking and Drinking Tea with The Queen, 1996
-
The Queen In A Light Tunnel at Opening of The Glasgow Museum of Contemporary Art, 1996
-
Meeting The Queen, 1996
-
Rascal Jim, 1996
-
Jesus Christ, Romans Killed His Body on the Cross, 1996
-
Married Woman, 1996
-
Warriors and Shield, 1996
-
Two Crocodiles and Babies, 1996
-
Going to Get Married , 1996
-
Simbu Culture - Chief with Bilas, 1996
-
Two Birds of Paradise Feeding, 1996
-
Captain Makes Long Spear, 1996
-
This Man Belongs to Simbu Singing, 1996
-
Australian Man Playing and Beat P.N.G, 1996
-
These Two in Love and with Hapbirua Bird, 1996
-
Kokomo Stealing Berries and Flies Away. The Man Looks and Cries Stop, 1996
-
Big Man In Headdress Now King, 1996
-
Karim Leg, 1996
-
Geruwa - Body Decoration, 1995
-
Two Crocodiles, 1995
-
Dancers With Bird, 1994
-
Tourist Boat, 1993
-
This Fella Belongs to Kundiau, He Goes in My Airplane, 1993
-
Man in Tribal Headdress, 1993
-
Dispela Meri Uan Pela Lapcin Meri Tasol em isa ue is ikirap Tumas, 1993
-
This Woman is Taking Pig to Market, 1992
-
These Owl and Ibis's, 1992
-
Woman Going to Another Village to Have Fight, 1992
-
Two Muruk Birds and Corcodile, Now Friends, 1988
-
Kokomo Feeding, 1988
-
Kiapten Kuk, 1988
-
Bird of Paradise Catching Snake, 1987
-
Bird of Paradise, 1987
-
Woman with Kina Shell, 1987
-
Stick Man, 1977
-
Stick Man, 1977
-
Independence Celebration ll, 1975
-
Independence Celebration, 1975
-
Independence Celebration lll, 1975
-
Great Mother, 1970
-
Mathias Kauage and Rebecca Hossack at the gallery in London for Kauage's exhibition
-
Mathias Kauage and Rebecca Hossack in London
-
Mathias Kauage and Matthew Sturgis in London for Kauage's exhibition at the gallery
-
Mathias Kauage with Paul Moriarty at the Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery in London
-
Mathias Kauage with his painting: A Young Policeman Waves Hello In The Night
-
Mathias Kauage with Steven Campbell at the opening of the Glasgow Museum of Fine Art in 1996
-
Mathias Kauage at the opening of the Glasgow Museum of Fine Art in 1996
-
Mathias Kauage with Queen Elizabeth II at the opening of the Glasgow Museum of Fine Art in 1996