Tanzania in the international Venice art exhibition - Italy

 

When Tanzanian artworks are mentioned as not being famous in the world despite their quality, finally, the United Republic of Tanzania will be present for the first time with its own National Pavilion at the upcoming Venice Art Biennale 2024, scheduled to take place from April 20 to November 24, 2024, in Venice, Italy.

It is not a novelty that in recent times, various artistic movements in Tanzania have been at the forefront of a renewed effervescence of young talents. Venice and its Art Biennale, following the extensive attention given to Africa in the last edition of the Architecture Biennale, are indeed the consecration of this "artistic wind" blowing from Africa.

 "It is with great satisfaction and pride that, in close collaboration with our Government, we have managed to introduce Tanzanian artists to the selection committee of the Venice Biennale, which understood the spirit of our culture and accepted our application - declared H.E. the Ambassador of the United Republic of Tanzania to Italy, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo. 

Hon. Kombo added that being in Venice is already a victory for the art from Tanzania because the Biennale is a world-famous exhibition that will bring immense prestige and global visibility to our great country.

The 60th International Art Exhibition will be titled "Foreigners Everywhere." The context in which the works will be placed is indeed a world full of multifaceted crises, reflected in contemporary Tanzanian art through strong material prerogatives: colour, decisive action in its application, portraiture, and soul. These elements do not detach from history or experience but are finding the strength to move away from pure description and form.

Dr. Damas Daniel Ndumbaro, (MP), Minister for Culture, Arts, and Sports for Tanzania, signals that Tanzania’s arts are worthy of international prestige and we are here to showcase the same. I call upon our artists to ensure they fully utilize their talents as this is an opportunity for them to promote and market themselves and Tanzania in general in a global market. 

Dr. Ndumbaro mentioned that the Government of Tanzania under Her Excellence President, Dr. Samia Suluhu Hassan, will continue to support the participation of Tanzanian Artists in the Venice forum as part of their development and growth which ultimately will help them penetrate the world market.”

The participation of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Venice Art Biennale 2024, marks a significant milestone for the continent's art scene and provides an opportunity to share its culture and creativity with an international audience. From April onwards, representing Tanzania at the 60th Venice Biennale of Contemporary Art will be four artists:

Following are the artists from Tanzania who will represent the country in such a global forum

- Lutengano Mwakisopile (Lute): Born on July 26, 1976, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. His studio is located at the Morogoro Store Oysterbay in Dar es Salaam. He expresses his ideas through various media such as recycled materials, pencil, charcoal, colours and brushes, canvas, paper, or wood engraving. His boundless creativity arises from thoughts, memories, experiences, hopes, and aspirations.

- Happy Robert: A visual artist born on April 30, 1989, in Songea, Ruvuma Region. Currently, living and working in Dar es Salaam. Happy worked as an Administrative Officer in two different private institutions before deciding to pursue her passion for art and become a full-time independent artist in 2014.

- Naby: Italian, born in Bologna, and who, along with Tanzanian colleagues, well represents the contamination between peoples as desired by the Venice Art Biennale in the "inverted mirrors" project. She uses various media (paper, painting, composite materials) ranging from large installations to more intimate works inspired by camouflage.

- Haji Chilonga: Born in 1969 in Masasi district, Mtwara Region. He comes from a family of blacksmiths on his father's side and potters on his mother's side. Chilonga's talent was discovered early, just as he entered primary school.

The "inverted mirrors," the title of the Tanzania Pavilion Project, serve a dual function: the first two pairs of mirrors show each other four stories belonging to four different historical periods, presented by the four selected artists.

Zanzibar artist, Yahya Mzee Mwinyikombo, Chairman of the Zanzibar Handcraft Association will also be among the protagonists at the Venice Biennale out competition.

Written by: Stefano Pancera Embassy of Tanzania in Rome

Editor: Prosper Kwigize