LETS CARRY HOM, HE IS A KING NOW “WANAFULAIYA KUCHAGULIWA TENA Mwenyekiti Wao Tena Kwamala Ya Pili” - n.d.

121 x 101 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Mkutano Wakijiji - 1992

244 x 122 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Nji Ni Watu Bila Watu Si Mji Na Sisi hapatulipo Ni Watu Kama Wewe (A town is people, without people it is not a town, we are people as you are) - 1992

245 x 123 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Nursing / Breast Feeding - 2000

47 x 20 x 14 cm
Enamel on wood

Photo © Maurice Aeschimann

Passeport Size - 2000

143 x 251 cm
Enamel on canvas

Pickinic day - 2002

144 x 270 cm
Enamel on canvas

Please be patient, this milk is enough for all of us - 2000

142 x 223 cm
Enamel on canvas

Praying - 2000

68 x 23 x 37 cm
Enamel on wood

The game of lifting each other - 2000

221 x 141 cm
Enamel on canvas

The importance of fruits in the family - 2000

142 x 221 cm
Enamel on canvas

The Musician - 2000

68 x 21 x 19 cm
Enamel on wood

The problem of water - 2000

76 x 26 x 18 cm
Enamel on wood

The strong worker - 2000

53 x 24 x 17 cm
Wood

The Village - 2000

252 x 143 cm
Enamel on canvas

THESE GLASSES ARE FOR MY EYES - 2000

60 x 60 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

They are astonished, where did the head come from? - 2000

142 x 248 cm
Enamel on canvas

They are celebrating New Year - 1996

229 x 117 cm
Enamel on canvas

THEY ARE DISCUSSING PAST STORIES “Kuishi Mjini Isiwe Sababu Ya Kusahau Ulikotoka” - 1992

122 x 244 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

(No longer in CAAC)

They are leaving - 2000

248 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

They are playing with their grandfather - 2000

33 x 18 x 16 cm
Enamel on wood

They are searching for water - 2000

46 x 19 x 16 cm
Enamel on wood

THIS IS TIME TO EAT This is time for eating - 2000

120 x 180 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

This witch doctor gives his students the medicine in order to help themselves - 2000

120 x 180 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Thorax pain - 2002

51 x 20 x 23 cm
Enamel on wood

Thoughts - 2000

47 x 16 x 12 cm
Enamel on wood

TO HELP IS HELPING EACH OTHER - 2000

253 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

Tongue competition - 2000

141.5 x 250 cm
Enamel on canvas

True Love - 2000

70 x 23 x 19 cm
Enamel on wood

Uishi Na Majirani Zako Vizure Ili Ukipatwa NA Shida Watakusaidia - 1992

245 x 123 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Untitled - 2002

42 x 17 x 15 cm
Enamel on wood

Untitled - 2002

40 x 13 x 13 cm
Enamel on wood

Untitled - 2002

40 x 13 x 13 cm
Enamel on wood

VILLAGERS ARE HAPPY WITH NEW SHOES - 2000

252 x 143 cm
Enamel on canvas

Villagers are happy with their new shoes - 2000

252 x 143 cm
Enamel on canvas

WAPAKUAJI WA ASALI - 1992

121 x 100 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Where should I hide my head ? - 2000

49 x 18 x 15 cm
Enamel on wood

WOMENS WORK - 2000

252 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

You have no eyes how do you walk - 2000

60 x 60 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Youth games - 2000

142 x 250 cm
Enamel on canvas

Youths looking in the mirror - 2000

252 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

AFRICAN WOMEN IN THEIR WORKS - 2000

249 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

Carry Him Carefully, He Shouldn’t Fall “MANENO YA MZEE HAYAKUWA YA….” - 1996

111 x 98 cm
Enamel on canvas

CIRCUS IN THE MORTAR “SARAKASI KWENYE KINU” - 1991

61 x 61 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Different things that concern families - 2000

143 x 223 cm
Enamel on canvas

Dog keeper - 2000

72 x 25 x 22 cm
Painted wood

Don’t laugh, what I am telling you is the truth - 2000

144 x 225 cm
Enamel on canvas

Drinkers - 2000

141 x 247.5 cm
Enamel on canvas

Drunkard - 2000

41 x 23 x 14 cm
Enamel on wood

EATING CONTEST “AYA’NI MASHINDANO KULA MSHINDI…” - 1992

141 x 120 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Eating stiff porridge - 2002

50 x 19 x 24 cm
Enamel on wood

Family discussion - 2000

141 x 252 cm
Acrylic on canvas

FAMOUS BEER DRINKERS - 2000

135 x 126 cm
Enamel on canvas

Fat urban people - 2005

34.5 x 22 x 21.5 cm
Painted wood

Fat urban people - 2005

37.5 x 18 x 27 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31 x 31 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31.5 x 20 x 19 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

32.5 x 19 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

30.5 x 21 x 21 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

35 x 19.5 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

33.5 x 21.5 x 24 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

33.5 x 21 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31.5 x 22 x 21 cm
Painted wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31.5 x 22 x 21 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

35 x 23.5 x 16.5 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

38 x 25 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

32 x 21 x 20.5 cm
Enamel on wood

Fisherman - 2000

78 x 18 x 30 cm
Painted wood

Fisherman and his son - 2000

47 x 25 x 13 cm
Enamel on wood

Friends - 2000

68 x 28 x 25 cm
Wood

Friends – A liverstock and his friend chimpanzee - 2000

78 x 30 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

HE IS HOLDING HIM SO THAT HE CAN’T FALL ( He his helping from falling down ) - 2000

40 x 40.3 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

He is in transit - 2000

50 x 19 x 15 cm
Enamel on wood

He is suffering from stomach pain - 2000

35 x 14 x 12 cm
Enamel on wood

HE IS TRAVELLING - 2000

45 x 19 x 11 cm
Enamel on wood

Photo © Maurice Aeschimann

HELLO DEARS ARE THESE FRUITS SWEET “JE MWENZANGU MATUNDA HAYA MATAMU” - 1991

62 x 61 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

HUSBANDRY “BABA NA MAMA NAKAKA NI…” - 1992

140 x 121 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

I AM STILL ALIVE (I am surprising - 2000

50 x 19 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

Photo © Maurice Aeschimann

I CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT LOOKING AT MY MIRROR - 2000

60 x 60 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

I DONT WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND ME WRONG. I’M A HUMAN LIKE YOU - 2000

120 x 180 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Let me tell you the secret - 2000

37 x 19 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

LETS CARRY HOM, HE IS A KING NOW “WANAFULAIYA KUCHAGULIWA TENA Mwenyekiti Wao Tena Kwamala Ya Pili” - n.d.

121 x 101 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Mkutano Wakijiji - 1992

244 x 122 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Nji Ni Watu Bila Watu Si Mji Na Sisi hapatulipo Ni Watu Kama Wewe (A town is people, without people it is not a town, we are people as you are) - 1992

245 x 123 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Nursing / Breast Feeding - 2000

47 x 20 x 14 cm
Enamel on wood

Photo © Maurice Aeschimann

Passeport Size - 2000

143 x 251 cm
Enamel on canvas

Pickinic day - 2002

144 x 270 cm
Enamel on canvas

Please be patient, this milk is enough for all of us - 2000

142 x 223 cm
Enamel on canvas

Praying - 2000

68 x 23 x 37 cm
Enamel on wood

The game of lifting each other - 2000

221 x 141 cm
Enamel on canvas

The importance of fruits in the family - 2000

142 x 221 cm
Enamel on canvas

The Musician - 2000

68 x 21 x 19 cm
Enamel on wood

The problem of water - 2000

76 x 26 x 18 cm
Enamel on wood

The strong worker - 2000

53 x 24 x 17 cm
Wood

The Village - 2000

252 x 143 cm
Enamel on canvas

THESE GLASSES ARE FOR MY EYES - 2000

60 x 60 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

They are astonished, where did the head come from? - 2000

142 x 248 cm
Enamel on canvas

They are celebrating New Year - 1996

229 x 117 cm
Enamel on canvas

THEY ARE DISCUSSING PAST STORIES “Kuishi Mjini Isiwe Sababu Ya Kusahau Ulikotoka” - 1992

122 x 244 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

(No longer in CAAC)

They are leaving - 2000

248 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

They are playing with their grandfather - 2000

33 x 18 x 16 cm
Enamel on wood

They are searching for water - 2000

46 x 19 x 16 cm
Enamel on wood

THIS IS TIME TO EAT This is time for eating - 2000

120 x 180 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

This witch doctor gives his students the medicine in order to help themselves - 2000

120 x 180 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Thorax pain - 2002

51 x 20 x 23 cm
Enamel on wood

Thoughts - 2000

47 x 16 x 12 cm
Enamel on wood

TO HELP IS HELPING EACH OTHER - 2000

253 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

Tongue competition - 2000

141.5 x 250 cm
Enamel on canvas

True Love - 2000

70 x 23 x 19 cm
Enamel on wood

Uishi Na Majirani Zako Vizure Ili Ukipatwa NA Shida Watakusaidia - 1992

245 x 123 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Untitled - 2002

42 x 17 x 15 cm
Enamel on wood

Untitled - 2002

40 x 13 x 13 cm
Enamel on wood

Untitled - 2002

40 x 13 x 13 cm
Enamel on wood

VILLAGERS ARE HAPPY WITH NEW SHOES - 2000

252 x 143 cm
Enamel on canvas

Villagers are happy with their new shoes - 2000

252 x 143 cm
Enamel on canvas

WAPAKUAJI WA ASALI - 1992

121 x 100 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Where should I hide my head ? - 2000

49 x 18 x 15 cm
Enamel on wood

WOMENS WORK - 2000

252 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

You have no eyes how do you walk - 2000

60 x 60 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Youth games - 2000

142 x 250 cm
Enamel on canvas

Youths looking in the mirror - 2000

252 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

AFRICAN WOMEN IN THEIR WORKS - 2000

249 x 142 cm
Enamel on canvas

Carry Him Carefully, He Shouldn’t Fall “MANENO YA MZEE HAYAKUWA YA….” - 1996

111 x 98 cm
Enamel on canvas

CIRCUS IN THE MORTAR “SARAKASI KWENYE KINU” - 1991

61 x 61 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Different things that concern families - 2000

143 x 223 cm
Enamel on canvas

Dog keeper - 2000

72 x 25 x 22 cm
Painted wood

Don’t laugh, what I am telling you is the truth - 2000

144 x 225 cm
Enamel on canvas

Drinkers - 2000

141 x 247.5 cm
Enamel on canvas

Drunkard - 2000

41 x 23 x 14 cm
Enamel on wood

EATING CONTEST “AYA’NI MASHINDANO KULA MSHINDI…” - 1992

141 x 120 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Eating stiff porridge - 2002

50 x 19 x 24 cm
Enamel on wood

Family discussion - 2000

141 x 252 cm
Acrylic on canvas

FAMOUS BEER DRINKERS - 2000

135 x 126 cm
Enamel on canvas

Fat urban people - 2005

34.5 x 22 x 21.5 cm
Painted wood

Fat urban people - 2005

37.5 x 18 x 27 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31 x 31 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31.5 x 20 x 19 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

32.5 x 19 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

30.5 x 21 x 21 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

35 x 19.5 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

33.5 x 21.5 x 24 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

33.5 x 21 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31.5 x 22 x 21 cm
Painted wood

Fat urban people - 2005

31.5 x 22 x 21 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

35 x 23.5 x 16.5 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

38 x 25 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

Fat urban people - 2005

32 x 21 x 20.5 cm
Enamel on wood

Fisherman - 2000

78 x 18 x 30 cm
Painted wood

Fisherman and his son - 2000

47 x 25 x 13 cm
Enamel on wood

Friends - 2000

68 x 28 x 25 cm
Wood

Friends – A liverstock and his friend chimpanzee - 2000

78 x 30 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

HE IS HOLDING HIM SO THAT HE CAN’T FALL ( He his helping from falling down ) - 2000

40 x 40.3 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

He is in transit - 2000

50 x 19 x 15 cm
Enamel on wood

He is suffering from stomach pain - 2000

35 x 14 x 12 cm
Enamel on wood

HE IS TRAVELLING - 2000

45 x 19 x 11 cm
Enamel on wood

Photo © Maurice Aeschimann

HELLO DEARS ARE THESE FRUITS SWEET “JE MWENZANGU MATUNDA HAYA MATAMU” - 1991

62 x 61 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

HUSBANDRY “BABA NA MAMA NAKAKA NI…” - 1992

140 x 121 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

I AM STILL ALIVE (I am surprising - 2000

50 x 19 x 17 cm
Enamel on wood

Photo © Maurice Aeschimann

I CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT LOOKING AT MY MIRROR - 2000

60 x 60 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

I DONT WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND ME WRONG. I’M A HUMAN LIKE YOU - 2000

120 x 180 cm
Enamel on ceiling board

Let me tell you the secret - 2000

37 x 19 x 20 cm
Enamel on wood

George Lilanga

Photo © André Magnin

Born 1934, Kikwetu, Masasi District, Tanzania.

Died 2005, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Lived and worked in Dar-es-Salaam.

George Lilanga comes from the high, arid plateaus of the Mozambique-Tanzania border. This is the great center of Makonde culture, noted especially for its mapico initiation dances and rich sculptural traditions. Lilanga began his training as a sculptor in 1961. In 1972 he settled in Dar-es-Salaam; in 1973 he became associated with the newly founded Nyumba ya Sanaa (House of Arts), a gallery and cultural center established by local artists. In 1980 he encountered the works of the Tingatinga School (established by the followers of Eduardo Saidi Tingatinga, 1939-1972) and Tingatinga’s example of exuberantly patterned and playfully abstracted paintings had a profound effect on his work.

Lilanga’s art—animated by a keen sense of social critique and caricature—illustrates the continuity of artistic vision among the Makonde and its renewal in the context of the present day. In many ways his sculptures and paintings follow Makonde conventions. His playful figures are best understood as heirs to the Makonde shetani, the unruly spirits of Makonde cosmology. Similarly, the complexity of his paintings can be compared to the Makonde ujamaa (tree of life), which signifies unity and solidarity. At the same time, the vibrant inventiveness of Lilanga’s work also testifies to the profound revolution that marked the birth of individualization and personal talent in Africa.

SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2014

Spirit of the Makonde, Gallery of African Art, London, UK

2010

Cosmogony: Influx Contemporary Art, Lisbon, Portugal

2005

Georges Lilanga

Jamaica

Milan – Italie

2004

Tingatinga and Lilanga

Kouchi Prefecture Art Museum.

Kouchi - Japan.

2003

Lilanga d’ici et d’ailleurs

Centre Culturel François Mitterrand

Périgueux - France

2003

George Lilanga

Christa’s Fine Tribal Art Gallery

Copenhague - Denmark

2002

Georges Linlanga -MAMCO, Geneva

1999

Georges Lilanga "Storie Africane"

Franco Cancelliere Arte Contemporanea.Messina, Italy

Fabbrica Eos. Milano, Italy.

1995

"Lilanga's Artist in Residence and Workshop"

Hiroshima City Moderne Art Museum. Japan.

1994-1995

"Lilanga's Cosmos"

Okariya Gallery.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2013

Focus sur la collection, Musée de la Fondation Zinsou, Ouidah, Bénin

2013

Mes Amours…, Bandjoun Station, Bandjoun, Cameroun

2012

Haitian Masters & Contemporary African artists, Galerie Lumières d'Afrique, Bruxelles, Belgique

2011

South is the new North, Influx Contemporary Art, Lisbon, Portugal

2010

Africa Rising, Société Louis Vuitton, Paris

2010

African Stories

Marrakech Art Fair, Marrakech, Morocco

2010

Africa 2.0 > is there a 'contemporary african art?'" - Influx Contemporary Art, Lisbon, Portugal

2009/2010

Africa? Una nuova storia

Complesso del Vittoriano, Rome, Italy

2009

Against Exclusion, 3rdMoscow Biennial, The Garage Center for Contemporary Culture, Moscow, Russia

2007

Why Africa?

Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli

Turin, Italy

2006

100% Africa

Guggenheim Museum

Bilbao, Spain

2005

Arts of Africa

Grimaldi Forum

Monaco - France

2005

African Art Now : Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection

Museum of Fine Art Houston

Houston - USA

2004 (travelling exhibition)

Africa Remix

Art contemporain d’un continent

* 24 July 2004 – 7 Nov 2004

Museum Kunst Palast

Düsseldorf - Germany

* 10 Feb 2005 – 17 April 2005

Hayward Gallery

London – England

* 15 May 2005 – 20 Aug 2005

Centre Georges Pompidou

Paris – France

* Feb – May 2006

Mori Art Museum

Tokyo

2003 - 2004

Latitudes

Hôtel de Ville

Paris - France

2002

Mapico Dance

MAMCO

Geneva – Switzerland

2002

Georges Lilanga

Galleria Spazia

Bologna - Italy

2000 - 2001

Shanghai Biennale 2000

Shanghai - China

2000

Il ritorno dei Maghi

Palazzo dei Sette. Orvieto, Italy.

2000-1999

Casino di Malindi, Kenya.

Desposito 6, Verona, Italy.

1999-1998

African Contemporary Art

Lenz Gallery of Art.

Pregassona, Italy.

La Persia srl.

Palazzo Carlotti, Verona, Italy.

1996

Dak'Art

Dakar 2nd Biennal, Senegal.

1995

Johannesbourg 1st International Biennal

Johannesburg, South Africa

1995-1994

"Haring K. and Lilanga"

"Animals and Spirits of Africa"

Pantheon Tama Gallery.

Tokyo, Japan.

Mimoca Gallery.

Marugane, Japan.

1993

"La Grande Vérité, Les Astres Africains"

Nantes Fine Art Museum.

Nantes, France.

1992

Out of Africa

Saatchi & Saatchi Gallery.

London, Great-Britain.

1992

Tingatinga Art

Art Tower Mito.

Tokyo, Japan.

1983

National Gallery.

Harare, Zimbabwe.

1981-1979

National Museum, Dar Es Salaam.

International Summer Academy.

Salzburg, Austria.(1983-1987).

1978

Marykoll Ossining Centre.

New-York, USA.

IMF Hall, World Bank.

Washington, USA.

1977-1976

Goethe Institut.

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

1976

National Gallery of Botswana.

Gaborone, Botswana.

1974

National Museum.

Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY

2021

Finestre sull' Arte, N°10 - Arte Antica E Contemporanea Giugno Luglio Agosto - Italy. pp.146-159

2010

George Lilanga, Frederic P. Miller, Agnes F. Vandome, John McBrewster, VDM Publishing, 2010

2007

Why Africa?

Exhibition catalogue. Published by Electa & Pinacoteca Giovanni e Marella Agnelli.

2006

100% Africa

Exhibition catalogue. Published by TF Editores & FMGB Guggenheim Bilbao Museum.

2005

Arts of Africa: The Contemporary Collection of Jean Pigozzi

Exhibition catalogue. Published by Skira Edition & Grimaldi Forum Monaco.

2005

African Art Now: Masterpieces from the Jean Pigozzi Collection

Exhibition catalogue. Published by Merrell.

2004

Africa Remix

Exhibition catalogue. Published by Hatje Cantz Verlag.

2004

Tingatinga and Lilanga

Exhibition catalogue

2003

Latitutes 2003

Exhibition catalogue. Mairie de Paris.

2003

Safari nocturne

Exhibition catalogue (Centre Culturel François Mitterand).

2001

Tribal Soul, Metropolitan Body.

Contemporary African Art.

Valerio Deho, Barbara Grimani, Enrico Mascelloni, Sarenco, Aldo

Tagliaferri.

Publication : L'Artière.

2000

Georges Lilanga E Altre Stories Dell'Arte Tanzania

Enrico Mascelloni E Sarenco

Book, 120 pages, bilingual text Italian, English.

SAFARIBOOKS Adriano Parise Editore.

1999

"Storie Africane" Georges Lilanga.

Testo (italiano) di Lucio Barbera, Interview Sarenco.

Exhibition Catalogue. Franco Cancelliere Arte Contemporanea.Messina.

Fabbrica Eos.Milano.

Adriano Parise Editore.

1996

Contemporary Art of Africa

Territory : Georges Lilanga by André Magnin p.36-39, text in English.

Edited by André Magnin & Jacques Soulillou

Published By Harry N. Abraams, USA.

1995

Lilanga's Cosmos

Contemporary Art of Africa

Editor Shirashi Kenji & Yamamoto Fumiko.

Catalogue d'exposition, bilingual text Japonese, English.

1993

La Grande Vérité, Les Astres Africains

Contemporary African Art Collection

Lilanga by André Magnin, text in French p.46-49.

Nantes Fine Art Museum.