4. Nyumba ya Sanaa: the House of Art    -George Lilanga and Francis Patric Imanjama

　


 George Lilanga

"Long journey for searching
food and water"
SAFARI YA MBALI YA KUTAFUTA CHAKULA NA MAJI KUTOKA KIJIJI CHA MBALI WOTE WANAFURAHA

Hadija,
Elina,
Sakia,
the three wives, came back home
with lots of food and lots of water.
Everybody is so happy. 
They came home with light steps.
They helped each other and
had a good time.
Their family would be so happy
to see all the goods.
That makes them happy too.

Batik (wax-resist dyeing)
112×91　 cm
George Lilanga (1934-2005) was a Makonde people from Tanzania. His works are recognized worldwide and solo and group exhibitions are held in Europe, America and Japan. He is one of the most recognized African contemporary artists. He had a close relationship with the "Tingatinga school", but he followed his own way. He used strange appearance of Shetani as a motif. He left many works with using various techniques such as sculptures, enamel paintings, watercolor paintings, prints or batik dyeing. Each work has a story and the story was something Shetani did in Lilanga's dream.

　　
Makonde people didn't only carve Shetani. This sculpture with many people is called Ujamaa. Ujamaa literary means socialism in Swahili and the word represents "Family solidarity"Sculptures of Ujamaa shows historical events, myths, scenes of lives with helping one another, or family trees.
George Lilanga

African Black Wood
22×24×74 cm

None of the artists introduced in this exhibition is given a higher education on art. The sculptures developed from the traditional culture of Makonde people. Many artists were self-educated. Nyumba ya Sanaa, the House of Art played an important role The House of Art was founded by American Missionary, Jean Pruitt in 1972. Young artists gathered there to study and time to time, they were given guidance for technical instructions of etching and many other methods. In addition, a gallery was set up next to the facility and many of the artists' work were exhibited and sold there. The agallery was closed in 2011. Nyumba ya Sanaa helped producing great artists such as George Lilanga and Francis Patrick Imanjama.

　
Francis Patrick Imanjama
Etching on Paper


Upper from left:
14×10 cm
30×24 cm
22×22 cm

Lower:
19×30 cm


Francis Patrick Imanjama (1959-) was born in Zanzibar. He learned painting at Goethe Institute in Dar es Salaam and etching and other techniques at Nyumba ya Sanaa. He produced many works in etching, watercolor paint and photography. His work is introduced globally and exhibit at galleries in Europe and other area outside of Tanzania.


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5. The Tingatinga School of painting　>>