Khais Itao is a local indigenous artist born and raised in Ofafina Village in the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea.

Raised by his beloved grandfather, Khais was exposed to art from a young age as his grandfather used clay and pit-pit (tall thin shrubs that grow by the river) to create sculptures.

Eventually Khais started school and went on to attend arts school in Port Moresby from 1979 to 1982. Now an established artist, Khais specializes in painting, pencil and ink drawings, his artwork reflects the traditions and culture of PNG.