TASUBA PARTICIPATES IN ART EXHIBITION AT UDSM

Veteran Artist Raza Mohamed with of his works in Nkurumah Hall at University of Dar es salaam.

Principal tutor of College of Arts and Culture Bagamoyo (TASUBA) Suitbert Komba with his "Makonde Carving"

Vice Chancellor UDSM Prof. Rwekaza S. Mukandala observing some of the 134 art works immediately after performing the opening ceremony.

Artist Vita Malulu with his master piece plastic on wire sculpture of wild animals on feasting time, being most expensive of all art work. With Blogger of Bagamoyo News Abdul Hai.

The six-days Art Exhibition opened officially at the University of Dar es Salaam was described as “professional advancement” with an important role in the field of art.

 The Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Rwekeza S. Mukandala observed these remarks when performing the opening ceremony of the exhibition where not less than 134 art works were displayed in the Nkurumah Hall of the University.

Speaking to hundreds of professional artists, budding artists from the Fine & Performing Arts Department and members of the public, he said that art works  should not only be  produced for commercial reasons but should also be for the sake of love of art. He emphasized that efforts should be made to train more experts in this field.

The Fine & Performing Arts Department in the University was forty years old and the venue where the Art Exhibition was being held, Nkurumah Hall,  had attained the status of Heritage Site. The exhibition was a collection of some 134 paintings in numerous medias, sculptors made with different materials, photography etc.

Simple yet attractive paintings, meticulously prepared sculptors with selling prices ranging from TShs. 30,000/=  to TShs. 6,720,000/= were on display in the hall. Prominent Artists like Vita Malulu, Muzu Sulemanji, Raza Mohamed, Fred Halla, Suitbert Komba (TASUBA) and many others were present and their works on display.

The master piece (my assessment) was a set of three sculptors fabricated by mild steel wires and plastered with discarded black plastic bags portraying a “feasting time for a vulture and hyena on a carcass of buffalo”. The effect of splashed red oil paint (blood) on the half eaten victim and the dramatic  fight for the meat chunk was so dramatically made that time and again admirers were seen taking photographs. Strange enough, the title of the show piece was “Election Time” costing TShs. 6.720,000/= for a complete three piece, installation size 3 x 3 metres on the floor.

The Artist is called Vita Malulu and has his own studio under the name of Nafasi Art Space at Kijitonyama in Dar es Salaam.

Principal of the college, Prof. Imani Sanga delightfully described the budding artists as seeds planted and germinated, ready to bring out their best works.

STORY & PICTURES: ABDUL HAI