Chateau Klenová
7. 8. – 30. 10. 2011

The main part of this exceptional exhibition are illustrations of three Tansanian fairy tales collected and illustrated by Tansanian artists. These fairytales are usually passed on in the oral tradition.

Four artists are illustrating three stories. The first fairy tale „ Vubi“ has two creators. Peter Martin collected and started to paint the story about old man Vubi. During this process Peter Martin passed away and another painter John Kilaka continued Martin’s work. Vubi is now painted in 14 canvas.  The central painting in the exhibition is by Peter Martin titled „The painting of life and death“, which was created by artist before his death. Other artist of second story is Mohamed Charinda who interpreted the Tanzanian fairy tale „The disobedience of the Shimbonje“ on his nine canvas. And the fourth of artist is Tanzanian artist Nangida who picked for presentation the story of „Rabit and the tortoise“ on eight large  images.

The presentation of these fairy tales is completed by other paintings documenting scenes of everyday life in this African country. Visitors can find in the pictures of Tanzanian artists Mitole, A. Jonas, Malikita, and Mohamed Charinda the daily life of Tanzania. Visitors can  view the course of life in the works of Peter Martin before his death.

All these fairy tales are stories and legends of  Tanzanian cultural heritage, attentatively and with open heart collected by authors. Tingatinga art is one manner of preserving the heritage of verbal and literary creation of African people. Collection of this three artistic blocks of illustration is unique and the Gallery Klatovy/Klenova has the premiere in showing it to large public first in Czech republic.. The previous release was at the turn of the last year  in spaces of The Regional art museum of South-Savo / Mikkeli art museum.

Big thanks belongs to the Gallery Klatovy/Klenová for open and helpful collaboration in the manifestation of this kind of African art from Tanzania.

Acknowledgements nominally manager of Tingatinga art in Dar es Salam in Tanzania Daniel Augusta and compliant cooperator Kirsimaria E. Törönen Ripatti. They both  helped me to collect this large body of african work and allowed me to complete this unique presentation.

 Helena Fenclova – curator of exhibition

Photos