George
LILANGA di Nyama (1934 - 2005) [view
available works from this artist]
George Lilanga was
born in 1934 in Kikwetu village in southern Tanzania.
Like most Makonde youngsters, he learned to carve
on soft kassava roots before starting carving
the hard black wood (mpingo) under the guidance of
Mzee Sumaili.
In 1974 George Lilanga
decided to try his chance in Dar es Salaamwhere he
joined a group of carvers. His big break came when
he was hired as a watchman at "Nyumba ya Sanaa"
now called Nyerere Cultural Centre. Lilanga had the
opportunity to show his carvings to the management
staff, who recognized his talent and immediately changed
his duties. He later added drawing to his repertoire,
producing work on batiks, murals, canvas and paintings
on goatskin. Today Lilanga's creations can still be
seen at "Nyumba ya Saana" on the painted
metal gate and on the cement cast decorations around
the patio.
A
major step in George Lilanga's career occurred in
1978. A group exhibition organized in Washington D.C.
featured 100 of his pieces. The Washington Post compared
Lilanga's work to Jean Dubuffet's Art Brut.
From then on George Lilanga enjoyed international
exposure and a continuous and impressive number of
exhibitions in Europe, Japan and the United States.
After having won praise from western audiences, the
Tanzanian artist has become a representative of the
vividness of Swahili paintings. He is currently considered
as one of Contemporary African Art's major representatives.
All of this never
took him away from his country. It allowed him to
contribute to the maintaining of his tribe and at
the same time bring outside attention to his culture.
Lilanga presents the culture and mythology of his
people through canvases swarming with figures, vibrant
colours and a rhythmic movement representing Mapico
dance, typical of his people.
source: "Tribute
to George Lilanga" (2001) - Yves Goscinny; CAAC;
"George Lilanga" (2005) - Enrico Sarenco
Selected
Exhibitions
George
Lilanga GALLERY
George
Lilanga "Soldier"
