Our Artists

The Tingatinga Style

Emerging in Tanzania during the late 1960s, the Tingatinga painting style is named after its originator, Edward Saidi Tingatinga. Over time, it has evolved into one of the most recognizable forms of contemporary East African art.
Distinctive Features:
Stylization and Simplification: Depictions of animals and humans are rendered in a naive, almost childlike manner.​
Combined Perspectives: Figures often exhibit torsos in profile while presenting faces frontally, reminiscent of traditional rock art influences.​
Vivid, Contrasting Colours: Bright hues set against flat, often monochromatic backgrounds.​
Lack of Depth: Compositions are typically two-dimensional and decorative.​
Repetitive Motifs: Recurring themes create dynamic patterns within the artwork.​
Inspired primarily by East African wildlife—including the renowned “Big Five” (lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros, leopard)—as well as daily life, spirituality, and traditional folk patterns, Tingatinga’s works encapsulate the region’s rich cultural tapestry.​
Notably, Tingatinga utilized affordable materials such as masonite and bicycle paints, aligning with the demands of the burgeoning tourist market. This approach facilitated the rapid spread of the style beyond Tanzania’s borders. Today, Tingatinga paintings are showcased in galleries worldwide, from Europe to Japan.​

Edward Saidi Tingatinga

Born in 1932 in the Namochelia village of southern Tanzania’s Tunduru District, near the Mozambique border, Edward Saidi Tingatinga hailed from a modest agricultural background. His mother was of the Makua ethnic group, and his father was Ndonde. After completing primary school, Tingatinga undertook various jobs, including work on sisal plantations and as a domestic servant in Dar es Salaam.​
In 1968, during a period of unemployment, he began painting small artworks using inexpensive materials like bicycle paint on masonite. His subjects featured animals, village scenes, and African landscapes, characterized by simplified forms, vibrant colours, and a touch of humour. Initially selling his paintings to tourists and passersby, Tingatinga’s art quickly gained popularity among both foreigners and the Tanzanian elite.​
Tragically, in 1972, Tingatinga was fatally shot by police who mistook him for a fugitive. Despite his untimely death, he laid the foundation for a new artistic movement. His students and relatives, including his brother-in-law Simon Mpata, carried forward his legacy, establishing the Tingatinga style as a cultural hallmark of Tanzania.​
Exhibition Collection
All artworks displayed in this gallery are part of the owner’s private collection. Each piece is executed in oil on canvas, stretched over wooden frames. Some are further enhanced with high-quality wooden borders.

Born in 1969, Rubuni Rashidi stands as one of the foremost contemporary artists associated with the Edward Saidi Tingatinga school. He arrived in Dar es Salaam in 1988 and, the following year, began studying under the esteemed artist Mzee Chimwanda.​

Art connoisseurs recognize Rubuni as part of a select group who have resisted the commercial pressures of mass-producing artworks for the tourist market. He has consistently developed a distinctive style rooted in Tingatinga’s principles yet marked by personal expression.​

His paintings often feature animals captured in moments of alertness, as if they’ve just noticed the viewer’s presence. Set against symbolic landscapes, the backgrounds reflect different times of day through specific colour schemes: light blue for morning, yellow for noon, deep red for sunset, navy blue for night, and white for mist.​

Rubuni’s technique involves overlapping and intermingling silhouettes with subtle shading, creating an illusion of depth. His works are distinguished by their high-quality execution, thematic diversity, and strong composition, setting him apart from other artists in this genre.​

In 2008, his paintings were exhibited at Lilagalerie in Sweden. Two years later, Japanese designer Ayumi Sufu (of the Jazzkatze brand) drew inspiration from his art, showcasing a dress influenced by his work during the Spring 2010 Tokyo Fashion Week.

A Contemporary Interpretation of Tingatinga

Born on August 10, 1982, in Tunduru, Ruvuma District, Shaha is among the most intriguing modern proponents and innovators within the Tingatinga movement. He moved to Dar es Salaam in late 1999, initially working as a shop assistant while nurturing his lifelong passion for art.​

In 2002, Shaha commenced formal training under Rashid Chilamboni, a respected Tingatinga artist. Despite a brief six-month apprenticeship, his progress was remarkable. He later honed his skills with Abdallah Chilamboni in Msasani before establishing himself as an independent artist.​

Today, Shaha is recognized as a significant figure in the contemporary Tingatinga scene. While adhering to the movement’s core tenets, he boldly experiments with form, colour, and composition. His oeuvre can be categorized into two distinct styles:​

• Works featuring stark colour contrasts and unconventional animal patterns, engaging the viewer’s imagination through deliberate repetition.​

• Pieces characterized by restrained palettes—such as browns and yellows on white backgrounds—imparting a graphic, minimalist aesthetic.​

Shaha’s art exemplifies the dynamic and evolving nature of the Tingatinga tradition, demonstrating its capacity for reinterpretation and innovation.​

Residing in Dar es Salaam, Shaha is married with a daughter and remains an active participant in Tanzania’s artistic community, continually refining his craft.