John Taia is a self-taught artist born and raised in Kerowagi in the Simbu Province of Papua New Guinea. He graduated from Bulolo Forestry College in 1995 with a Diploma in Forestry. Not long after he tragically lost his father in a tribal fight.

After going back to his village to build his mother a home, he then moved with his family to Port Moresby.

Now married with eight children, John found it challenging to adapt to living in the city. Needing an income to support his family, he started selling vegetables at the local market.

After learning from renowned Papuan artists Moses Minipa and Joe Mek, John started painting in 2004. He sold his first painting for K50 ($13.80 USD) and shared the money with his neighbors.

Now, many of John’s paintings are sold at exhibitions and local tourist markets.
With a distinct perspective of the world around him and a desire to promote his culture and his identity through his artwork, John now has 18 years experience painting and selling his art.

With a desire to one day own his own gallery so he can showcase his own art and the creative works of others in his community, John work tirelessly to develop his skills and to promote Papuan art to those he meets. Inspired by his family, his culture and his land, John hopes to educate and support his family and empower those in his community.