Artists in Zanzibar and their Art
Posted: Wednesday, December 15, 2010
by Ian Williamson
Jumart.net
This article will highlight five young artists and their art from Tanzania, East Africa. The art these young men produce in difficult circumstances is outstanding.
Firstly I would introduce you Saidi Ray and his abstract paintings. These paintings would always head a list on Tanzanian art. Ray says of his art "My paintings identify African Culture and Swahili tradition. I like to portray my people; I explain my people’s daily activities. I am inspired by African women, especially Swahili women when wearing a khanga; showing lots of beautiful colours." His paintings of African women are his best and most sought after work. His use of colour in these abstract paintings is sublime.
M. Ausy specialises in watercolour and soft pastels. He works and lives in Zanzibar, moving from mainland Tanzania in 1999 to study art at Nyumba ya Sanaa [house of art]. Since graduation he has remained on the island. His work shop and studio is situated at the Old Fort in Stone Town, next to the House of Wonders along the ocean road. If you arrive in Stone Town by ferry then you will immediately be aware of both these buildings. Mmoud Ausy’s gallery is stacked full of paintings from many artists working in Zanzibar. M Ausy is a gentleman and negotiations are made easy because of this. Next to his gallery in the Old Fort is a bistro it is pleasant to go there to negotiate [by the way you will most certainly find one or two paintings here by S. Ray].
Bwana Kibongo and Mwesu share a gallery at Mwege village art market [alternatively known as Makonde Cavers] and is about 30 minutes north of Dar es Salaam – depending on traffic.
Bwana Kibongo is at his best painting abstracts of African people and life, a young passionate man who talks a lot - you will have to be prepared to bargain hard when buying paintings from this artist. The other half of the gallery belongs to Mwesu - he is a little older and is at his best painting large and bold. I love his black on white paintings of dancing Maasai Warriors; the movement and wild hair of the warriors are worth every penny you pay. Mwesu is a little older and usually gives a good price without the need for lengthy negotiations.
Masoud Kibwana is a young talented artist and paints in the style associated with the Makondi tribe in remote Southern Tanzania. His paintings are pure abstract. With heavy influences from his home. Incorporating into his art are the intricate Makondi tribal patterns that can still be seen tattooed into the faces of the people of this remote area. These paintings are created in an arts market that is not famed for quality of materials. However Kibwana paints on quality canvas using quality acrylics. The paintings are so intricate with the traditional patterns and textured paint he told me of his paintings “it is a must to expect to pay more”. Masoud is a quiet young man and the owner of this rustic gallery is his agent. His agent talks a lot and I find him awkward to deal with. I tend to just pay whatever is asked for these fantastic abstracts and leave; having said that the paintings are not overpriced and worth what is charged.
Always remember to negotiate a fait price for your art life in Africa is not easy.
Authentic African Paintings - paintings you may find in the art markets are painted by real people in Africa and therefore draw you attention that from time to time there may be slight imperfection in a few of the actual paintings. Remember these works of art are not clinically churned out in the thousand by a printing press where you can get perfectly straight lines and a blemish free finish. On offer is real art created in Africa and as a result these hand painted pictures are far more desirable, the small imperfections give provenance to the art - an authentic realism which can not be replicated by a machine
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)I think there's some really powerful art coming out of Africa, such a wide variety, too. Thanks for your article, it's very interesting.
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