A TingaTinga Review: London and Copenhagen

by Elsbeth Court

The season’s cultural events included two exhibitions: ‘TINGATINGA Unique Paintings from Tanzania’ (Croydon Clocktower Gallery, south London, 3.07.10 – 27.08.10 with some 25 works), ‘TINGA TINGA KITSCH or QUALITY Bicycle enamel on board and canvas’ (Round Tower Gallery, central Copenhagen, 3.07.10 -22.08.10 with some 100 works) and the animated CBBC television series ‘Tinga Tinga Tales’.

Both exhibitions were the results of enthusiasts who wanted to share their personal involvements with the artists (in Tanzania) and their own painting collections. While the Croydon show was organised solely by amateurs Stef and Maggie Van der Heuvel (both of whom have day jobs in Croydon’s social services), the Danish effort of thorupART (a family art consultancy) had considerable professional input, such as the photographs of anthropologist Jesper Kerknaes who has been involved with the Tinga Tinga movement since its beginning.

Comparison may seem unfair, but van der Heuvel’s modest collection stands up well, offering an overview of the movement’s history through selected paintings and a good range of contemporary practice including a painting by H.Lilanga and several by Charinda. His work is interesting because he tackles different subject matters, whether shetani, slave trade or daily life (one on display in the British Museum) in the same graphic style.

Guests turned out from the BTS, the British Museum, the BBC, Croydon Council and from the community.

photo: Croydon, London: Tanzanian Deputy High Commissioner Kilumanga Opening the Exhibition

Read more on www.africancolours.com

Date 12 November

Exhibition of Tinga Tinga Tales in Finland

In November the Finnish Art Museum in Mikelli has opened a novel exhibition of Tinga Tinga art from Tanzania. The main part of this exceptional exhibition consists of illustrations of three Tanzanian tales collected and illustrated by Tinga Tinga artists. These fairy tales are usually passed on in the oral tradition.

Four artists illustrated three stories. The first fairy tale called „ Vubi“ has two creators. Peter Martin started to paint the story about old man Vubi. During his work Peter Martin suddenly passed away. His student John Kilaka decided to finish Peter’s tale. Vubi is now painted on 14 canvases. (5 of Peter Martin and 9 of John Kilaka). The central painting in the exhibition was painted by Peter Martin. It is titled „The painting of life and death“. It was created by Peter few days before his death. He knew he would die when he painted the painting. In fact, a few weeks later it paid even his own burial. (see the photo)

Other artist is Mohamed Charinda. He interpreted the Tanzanian fairy tale „The Disobedience of the Shimbonje“ on his nine canvases. And the fourth artist is Nangida Masawe who picked up presentation of the story of „Rabit and the Tortoise“ on eight large paintings.

The presentation of these fairy tales is completed by other paintings documenting scenes of everyday life in Tanzania. Visitors can find the pictures of Tanzanian artists Mitole Issa, Antony Jonas and Mohamed Charinda.

Big thanks belongs to The Regional Art Museum of South-Savo/Mikkeli Art Museum for open and helpful collaboration.

by Helena Fenclova, 9 November 2010

ZANTEL sued for copyright infringement

ZANTEL is one of the largest mobile network providers. It is owned by Etisalat (65%; 13th largest telecomunication company in the world), Tanzania Government (18%) and Meeco International (17%, lead by Jo Hans Dieter Trutschler). In spring 2009 ZANTEL launched a campaign using Tinga Tinga images without permission. Zantel has also launched a commercial animated film infringing the art works of several Tinga Tinga artists. Tinga Tinga Cooperative did not get answer for 1,5 year despite repeating warnings about the copyright infingement. You can also watch the video on YouTube. The court will take place tomorrow, 3rd November. (The photo of Zantel leadership is from http://ladyjaydee.blogspot.com)

Is Tinga Tinga continuation of Traditional Wall Painting Art?

Though the link between Tinga Tinga and the traditional wall paintings found on huts in South Tanzania is not scientifically established, some scholars ask this question. Locally, many wall paintings were witnessed by Daniel Augusta in the village Ngapa in 2009, where the the family of Tingatinga´s father Saidi Tingatinga still lives. (see photo). The same observations were made by other travelers. The first-known documented encounter with wall paintings in South Tanzania was in 1906 by Karl Heule in 1906 (Negerleben in Deutsch-Ost Afrika, Leipzig, 1908). Another photo documentation of the wall paintings come from the ethnologist and photographer Jesper Kirknaes. And yet another researcher who reached south Tanzania and visited the villages of E.S.Tingatinga was Kenji Shiraishi, art curator from Japan.

Despite the knowledge of the rich Makua wall painting tradition, Tinga Tinga art is presented to wide public as art form without any historical roots. For instance, Berit Sahlström´s article “Tingatinga and his followers” compares Tinga Tinga with modern Mosambican art. (Malangatana, Idasse, Jose Craverinha and John Muafangejo). Yves Goscinny seeks roots of Tinga Tinga art in the encounter between E.S.Tingatinga with Congolese paintings who sold in Dar es Salaam. (“Art in Tanzania 2010” – in search of work opportunities he [Tingatinga] noticed some paintings from Congo being sold in a few shops in town and decided to try his luck). The original source is possibly Merit Teisen ("Desperate to earn living E.S. Tingatinga was inspired to make paintings for sale") She also claims in the article from 1984, that E.S.Tingatinga decorated 2 house walls for payment before he started to paint on boards. But the hunder and economic reasons can´t explain the Tinga Tinga movement because then we would have Tinga Tinga movements everywhere in Africa.

In 2010 Hanne Thorup interviewed Omari Amonde, the student of Tingatinga. Omari Amonde confirmed that E.S.Tingatiga painted on hut walls already as a young boy (around 12 years old). (Tingatinga, Kitsch or Art, 2010, page 22; article: Off the walls to Hard Board and Canvas; What inspired Tingatinga? Hanne Thorup&Chitra Sundaram) It is therefore more reasonable to look for the roots of Tinga Tinga art in the tradition of wall paintings than in economic intentions or modern Mosambique art. Not surprisingly there exist suggestions made by scholars that Tinga Tinga has roots in wall paintings. But it is not made by West, but Japanese art curator Kenji Shiraishi. He had difficulty to believe that an art movement consisting of hundreds of painters, wouldn´t have any local historical roots. Kenji Shirashi claims:” The original African painting can perhaps be used to describe the continuing tradition in painting up to this day. This thesis is the result of my study of the Tingatinga paintings which suddenly emerged in Tanzania in the late 1960s. (Kenji Shiraishi: Comentary to Tingatinga II; article: Tinga TingaContemporary African art and Mural; Tingatinga: Afurikan poppu-ato no sekai / Kenji Shiraishi and Fumiko Yamamoto. Tokyo: Kodansha, 1990)

Date 29 October 2010

The dispute about Tingatinga´s origin on Wikipedia

This text is copied from www.wikipedia.com: Some sources claim that he [E.S.Tingatinga] was born in Mozambique rather than Tanzania. According to Daniel Augusta of the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society, all these sources can be traced back to a mistake found in 1996 article by swedish art critic Berit Sahlström, Tingatinga and His Followers[3], that also reports Tingatinga's first name as "Eduardo" instead of "Edward"[4]. Sahlström herself never met or interviewed the Tingatinga painters, but admittedly relied on a research paper by her student Mia Terent, who in turn reportedly got this information from the Swedish-Tanzanian missionary Barbro Johansson (also known as "Mama Barbro") in an interview on May 12th, 1996.[5]

The Tingatinga painters, the Tingatinga Arts Co-operative (TACS), and members of Edward's family (including his living son and daughter Daudi and Martina, his brother-in-law Gallusi and his half brother Omari Amonde), as well as scholars and art traders (among them, Jesper Kirknaes, Merit Teisen, Yves Goscinny, and Felix Lorenz, who long worked with the Tingatina painters) reject the idea that Tingatinga was born in Mozambique. Despite being invited to publicly correct her mistake by the Tingatinga Society, Sahlström did refuse to do so, but not on the basis that she was certain of her claim.[4]

The photos (copyright - Ilona Bittnerova) [not from Wikipedia]: Until 2009 the family from Tingatinga´s father´s side was unknown to the world. Tingatinga´s father was hunter and moved from one village to another. Accidentally he crossed over Agnes Ntembo, the mother of E.S.Tingatinga. Though no one from Makua was happy about the strange hunter from the foreign tribe Ngindo who became father to E.S.Tingatinga, the son took the father´s name and did stay with father´s family occasionally. Mr. Nyuwele used to play with Tingatinga when he was a small boy - now after more than 60 years he received news and photos about his friend from childhood. The Penguin, Disney and BBC uses the name Tingatinga, after the little boy Edward who used to chase monkeys with slin-shots somewhere in South Tanzania. .

Footnotes

1. ^ The issue of Tingatinga's birthplace is the subject of a controversy; see the "Dispute about the origin" section.
2. ^ Tinga Tinga Paintings
3. ^ Tingatinga and His followers
4. ^ a b Tingatinga and the Mozambique Myth
5. ^ In a letter to the Tingatinga Society dated October 7, 2009

1. Sahlström wrote

   “

   Mia Terent did interview the legendary "Mama Barbro" on 12 May 1996, the former member of Tanzanian parlament and Swedish-Tanzanian missionary

   ”

   In turn, Mia Terent wrote

   “

   My parents came back to Sweden from Tanzania and bought two Tinga Tinga paintings. I was fascinated by them and decided to write a research paper. It was dificult to find literature, I used exhibitions catalogues. In order to get more information I interviewed Barbro Johansson who lived in Uppsala (Sweden). She was healthy despite her high age. I don´t know where Barbro got the information that E.S.Tingatinga was born in Mozambique but because she is dead now, we can´t ask her

   ”

Date 27 October 2010

Makonde Artists now at Tinga Tinga Studio

GO!

Date 26 October 2010

Tinga Tinga painting for $55.000

In two days (24 October) there will be an auction in Paris titled “Africa Scenes I” and in the catalogue of the auction there is the painting of R.Chiwaya. The price is estimated at €30.000 - €40.000 (The venue: Hotel Marcel Dassault at 7 Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées). See the painting in the artcurial catalogue and the story behind it on AfricanColours.com.

More information about the painting R. CHIWAYA (Ecole de Tingatinga) (Collectif fondé en 1960, Tanzani) GOLD SPOTTED LEOPARD & FRIEND THE SONGBIRD, circa 1970 Huile sur toile signée en bas à gauche "R.Chiwaya" h: 106 w: 82 cm Provenance : Ancienne Collection Ruth Schaffner-Adama Estimation 30 000 - 40 000 €

So who is R.Chiwaya? R stands for Rajabu. Rajabu Chiwaya passed away in 2004, he did not reach his 50 birthday. He was member of the Tingatinga Arts Cooperative Society (TACS) and was relative to the Mruta family. Hashim Mruta’s mother and Rajabu Chiwaya’s mother were sisters. Rajabu was born in Mindu, he started to go to basic school in Mindu but later continued in Nakapanya. He decided to come to Dar es Salaam in 1974 because of Mruta. He started immidiatelly a carrier as a painter.

At that time there were just ca 15 painters; Tingatinga died in 1972 and left 6 students behind him. R.Chiwaya sold his paintings for double the price than other painters (he could sell for 500 Tsh while other painters sold for 100-200 Tsh). The paintings were technically perfect. Rajabu did copy his teacher Mruta who was his teacher but also put new themes into his paintings.

Rajabu Chiwaya taught Mwamedi Chiwaya, Ali Chiwaya, Hapela Hashim and Amury Saidi. (They are still painting at the Tingatinga Cooperative). Most of R.Chiwaya’s paintings are painted on wooden sheets, few on canvas.

Rajabu Chiwaya was married to Asalia Mohamed. He left behind 7 children. Now Mwamedi Chiwaya took over the responsibility for the family.

Photo above: Hotel Marcel Dassault. by wallyg. Photo down: From left - Andrea Gallusi, brother of E.S.Tingatinga; Mwamedi Chiwaya, the son of R.Chiwaya; Ilona Bittnerova, Czech Curator; Daniel Augusta, webmaster of Tingatingastudio and manager of Tingatinga Cooperative.

Date 22 October 2010

Join our fight for Tinga Tinga on Wikipedia!

Wikipedia is the largest encyclopedia in the world; anyone can contribute. A few days ago someone created a new article called "Edvard Said Tingatinga" which claimed that Edward was a Mosambican painter born in Mozambique. So what? While the Tinga Tinga painters may not be much damaged by these claims, it is something else which we miss - the History. Not only the history of the painters or Tanzanian history but your history too. While you watch your new Tinga Tinga painting in kitching wall, you have right to know the History of Tinga Tinga.

The last articles on Wikipedia show us much bigger problem - no scientific research was yet conducted about Tinga Tinga art. As incredible as it sounds, no researcher visited the villages of the Tinga Tinga painters in South Tanzania where we could find the true key to Tinga Tinga art. The forgotten decorations of hut walls, the rock paintings older than in France, the traditions of Makua people and lastly the family of E.S.Tingatinga himself. As it is history of mankind it is also your history we are going to miss.

We have not much time. The last living student of E.S.Tingatinga is over 70 years old. The oldest people still living in the villages of E.S.Tingatinga are around 80, maybe 90. Every year some old member of Tinga Tinga family dies - this year the mother of A.Hassani, mama Georgi.

Maybe you will not pack your bag and go to Nakapanya. But you can contribute. Present the facts which we already know. Watch Wikipedia; these days things are happenning. How to contribute? Write a list of literature about Tinga Tinga you find and post it on Wikipedia. Upload your last photo from a visit of your favourite Tinga Tinga painter. Translate the article to your language. Believe me, you are needed! See you on Wikipedia, the platform of truth and our history!

Daniel Augusta

Date 22 October 2010

John Kilaka at Book Fair in Sweden

The 26th Book Fair took place from the 23-26 September at the Swedish Exhibition Centre in Göteborg.

Together with writers, publishers, media, organisations and companies from Scandinavia and Africa, the richness of African literature and art was presented to the public in Scandinavia. John Kilaka was presented in the exhibition and talked on seminars at Göteborg Book Fair.

“There is a strong interest in Africa right now, not at least thanks to the World Cup in South Africa in June. With the Africa focus of this year's Book Fair, we will put the African literary scene in the lime light. Many new and already established writers and cultural workers will provide a more complex picture of this exciting continent”, says Carin Norberg, head of the Nordic Africa Institute. Picture: John Kilaka and Sven Hallonsten.

Date 6 October 2010

U2´s Bono unveils "Africa Rising" Exhibition

U2 front man Bono and his wife Ali Hewson will unveil the Africa Rising exhibition in Paris which will take place opposite Vuitton’s headquarters on the Rue du Pont-Neuf. The exhibition starts on 5 October and will feature among others the art work of George Lilanga, which was produced mainly by Hendrick Lilanga (George´s grandson) and Noel Kapanda.

Bono´s wife Mrs. Hewson launched the ethical clothing brand Edun with idea to produce the cloth in Africa. But after problems with deliveries, most of the Edun´s products are made in China. 49% of Edun was sold to Louis Vuitton which will also unveil the exhibition.

The Africa Rising exhibition will coincide with the Paris Fashion Week where Edun´s product will be sold.

Photos: Left above - U2´s Bono (source Wikipedia), Right above - Hendrick Lilanga, Left below - Noel Kapanda

Date 13 September 2010

New Brand based on George Lilanga´s art work

George Lilanga is father of the so called Lilanga art - the funny and colorful shetanis - devils. He was working closely with many Tinga Tinga painters who painted the Lilanga art work for him. In addition some Tinga Tinga painters got recognized as "Lilanga artists" such as Mr.Mchisa.

The brand was started by venture capitalist Jean Pigozzi and is called LimoLand. LimoLand is exclusive clothing company and accessories have been sold in Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London, 10 Corso Como in Milan and Land of Tomorrow in Tokyo. The Limoland was a theme in magazines such as Vogue, GQ, Vanity Fair, T: The New York Times Magazine, and The International Herald Tribune.

Photos: Courtesy of LimoLand

Date 10 September 2010

Original painting by E.S.Tingatinga

I have added the first painting into "auctions" section!

This painting was bought directly from E.S.Tingatinga by a Swedish expat who worked in Dar es Salaam between 1970 and 1973. It is quite hard to get original painting from Mr.Tingatinga as most of the art works are in the hands of collectors. It is true that in Tanzania, Arusha, you may find a painting for $2000 but there are all fakes made by the late David Mzuguno. It is absolutly great chance to aquire the painting! The size is 120x90cm. Write to me on daniel@tingatingastudio.com and I will connect you with the seller. Price: $7000.

Date 7 September 2010

Mustapha in Japan

The Tinga Tinga painter Mustapha Abdallah Yusufu arrived to Japan. He is present at the Tinga Tinga exhibition on the behalf of the Tingatinga Cooperative. The exhibition takes place in Yokohama and is organized by Mr. Shizuoka. The photos are made by Bakari Msulwa. See his blog. The exhibition is from 2010-09-02 to 2010-09-08. Go also to current exhibitions to see more information.

6.9.2010

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