Timothy Akis

Who was Timothy Akis?

Timothy Akis, born around 1944 in Tsembaga village, Simbai Valley, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea, died in 1984, was a Papua New Guinean artist. His art consisted primarily in imaginative pen and ink drawings and batiks inspired by his country's wildlife.

Akis had the distinction of being the first Papua New Guinean artist to hold an exhibition, at the University of Papua New Guinea in 1969. He later held exhibitions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the Philippines and Australia.

Ulli Beier described Akis' artwork from his first exhibition in these terms:

"The delicate freshness of these drawings owes nothing to the traditions of his people, whose artwork consisted mainly of geometric shield designs. Unburdened by the rigid conventions of ancient traditions and uninhibited by western education, Akis created his personal image of a world of animals and men."

Examples of Akis' artwork were reproduced in the inaugural issue of Beier' Kovave: A Journal of New Guinea literature, alongside the work of fellow artists such as Mathias Kauage. Kauage's own art was reportedly inspired by visiting Akis' exhibition.