Tinga Tinga Art
Tinga Tinga art has its roots in the African tradition to decorate the hut walls. This has been observed especially in south Tanzania, the homeland of the Tinga Tinga painters and Edward Saidi Tingatinga. The paintings were painted by pigments found in nature. The motives were animals and people. One such painting was documented already in 1906 by a German explorer Karl Weule.
A wall painting found in the homeland of the painters. Photo: Karl Weule 1906
It was first in 1968 when Westerners learned about this art through Edward Saidi Tingatinga who painted on the square wooden sheets by the enamel colours. After the death of E.S.Tingatinga the painters called a meeting where they decided to call all these paintings "Tinga Tinga". The paintings have high glans which is intensified by the strong and vibrant colours. Usually they are surrounded by the black frame.
A painting on a hut wall in southern Tanzania. Photo: Ilona Fuzekova
The paintings by E.S. Tingatinga were so popular that they were demanded in high numbers by tourists and expats living in Tanzania. The painters has soon noticed which paintings were popular and has further developed them. In this regard both painters and art lovers has participated in the Tinga Tinga art style. It has reflected even in the materials used. The wooden sheets were replaced by canvas for easier transport by air planes.
Edward Saidi Tingatinga with a painting (left) and with his wife Agatha, who died in 1995. Photo: Jesper Kirknaes
Edward Saidi Tingatinga was born in 1936 in the village Namochelia in south Tanzania. He was the first born child of Agnes Mtembo. While his mother was of Makua tribe his father was of Mngindo tribe. Later Agnes gave birth to three more children with another men. All are dead accept Galusi.
Galusi and his wife (left) is the only living brother of E.S.Tingatinga. Photo: Daniel Augusta
As an young man Edward Saidi Tingatinga left his village in south Tanzania and went to Dar es Salaam to find a job. Luckily he had an uncle called Mzee Lumumba there who helped him. Tingatinga started to sell vegetables, then he decorated walls as he has done in his village. He was also a good dancer and through the dancing group he got a government job at the Muhimbili hospital. When his living was secured he married Agatha Mataka. Unfortunately he was shot accidently by a trafice police in 1972 leaving behind two children - Martina and Daudi
Daudi and Martina Tingatinga are living in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. They are now painting at the Tingatinga Cooperative. Photo: Daniel Augusta
Copyright Warning
TACS is the owner of the worldwide copyright of the Tinga Tinga paintings and the sole body able to authorise copyright licences in any format for any purpose.
TACS has an open door policy and has to date never refused permission reasonably requested and has often granted permission at nominal fees where educational purposes and lack of funds are apparent.
For more information on the copyright or to enquire about the use of Tinga Tinga art works you should get in touch with the leadership of TACS
WARNING
Fraudulent and misleading actions in relation to the use of art work of Tinga Tinga in copyright protection:
TACS has discovered certain parties have been acting fraudulently in relation to Tinga Tinga artists´copyright and in breach of copyright legislation worldwide. TACS has the right under International and National Laws to demand delivery up, destruction and damages on notice and destruction of any such items which contain reproductions in the hands of third parties and will do so. TACS has enforced its rights for delivery up, destruction and damages against all parties who have on display, or in the public domain any works by Tinga Tinga artists to which a licence has not been officially granted by the TACS. If you are reproducing or selling any article which contains reproductions of Tinga Tinga art works kindly ensure that you have an official licence from TACS. Any representation of authority other than ourselves is fraudulent.
It should be noted by third parties that the display of works or reproduction or purchase of books or any material containing in any way works or details of Tinga Tinga art not liscenced by the TACS constitutes inter alia an act of copyright infringement, possible criminal conduct and leaves the third party open to legal action including delivery up and destruction of the offending work, apologies to the same level as the offending publication and damages both direct and consequential. Consideration of persuit of legal action is always dependent on the nature of the infringement, the attempts by innocent third parties to have attempted to contact the TACS, bona fides, and the acts taken by them to rectify the infringement and make good the damage. As time passes it is clear the name and address of TACS and its web site is becoming more internationally known and the bona fides of innocent third parties becomes more difficult to establish.
