Artist of the Month: “Abdalla Issa”

Name: Abdalla Issa Profession: Visual Artist Born: May 30th 1976 F rom tingatinga artists to more contemporary painters, is not lacking in artistic skill and variety. While some Tanzanian artists have managed to establish themselves, many more hustle on a daily basis to be recognized for their unique talent. Dar Life caught up with the newly emerging artist Abdallah Issa, who shared with us a bit about his history, what inspires him, and how he envisions the future of art in Tanzania.

DL - What inspired you to start painting? Abdalla: enthusiasms.

DL - How long have you been an artist? Abdalla: About 15 years.

DL - When did you start? Abdalla: From 1997 till todate.

DL - Wow, seems your work has been extensive. Have you done anything that sticks out? Abdalla: Yes, I enrolled to Nyumba ya Sanaa lessons. I have also learned from experienced artists as well as art books.

DL - What is your genre of painting and what mediums do you like to use? Abdalla: Realism or semi-realism, mostly I work in watercolors, also in oil, acrylic and ink sometimes.

DL - Tell us about your first exhibition? When was it? Abdalla: I did not sell many works at that time. It was 1999 at House of Wonder, ZIFF- Zanzibar.

DL - Where do you do your work? Abdalla: I work from my home.

DL - Where do you feel art is going? Abdalla: Art is growing little by little just like a baby when starts to crawl after a period of time mean art is going to high level but step by step not in short period of time but we have to commit ourselves to do so.

DL - What is the role of the artist in society? Abdalla: To entertain and spread message by expressing through different styles and colors.

DL - What is the place of your work in society? Abdalla: Most of my works depict Swahili people whether Realistic or Abstract.. My works preserve cultural heritage as well as promote my society nationally and to foreigners.

DL - What technique do you use? Which is more important to you, the subject of your painting, or the way it is executed? Abdalla: Wash and dry-brush technique. The subject of my painting.

DL - Do you prefer a perfect smooth technique or a more energetic expressive technique and why? Abdalla: Perfect smooth technique because I like and it is suitable for the style I use.

DL - Why is your work so pretty! What do you think makes it stand out? Abdalla: The way I use the colors with equal proportion as well as perspective. The ability of judging the value of light and tone.

To purchase any of my paintings and other exhibition queries please contact: dullahissa@ live.com/ dullahissa@yahoo.com. +255 715 469898 +255 715 469898, +255 776 538526 and +255 776 538526 .

Picture Courtesy of Rugumamu Willson