An exhibition dedicated to Tingatinga — one of the most distinctive and widely recognized artistic styles of East Africa — has opened in Moscow. The exhibition features works by contemporary artists living and working in Tanzania who continue to preserve and develop this tradition today.
The Tingatinga style was founded in the 1960s by artist Edward Saidi Tingatinga. Its visual language — vivid, symbolically naïve, and rich in imagery drawn from animals, nature, and everyday life — has become an integral part of Tanzania’s cultural identity and a globally recognizable image of Africa. Over time, Tingatinga evolved beyond an individual artistic practice into a cultural phenomenon that reflects sincerity, joy, and a unique way of perceiving the world.
The contemporary artists presented in the exhibition retain the key characteristics of the style while enriching it with new meanings and personal interpretations. Their works demonstrate that Tingatinga is not only a legacy but also a living, evolving art form within modern Tanzanian culture.
The exhibition opening was accompanied by a charity fundraising event organized by the “Her Voice” Foundation. The funds raised will be used to support the organization of New Year celebrations for children in four schools in Zambia.
The “Her Voice” Foundation implements social, humanitarian, and creative projects aimed at improving the quality of life for people living in underserved and disadvantaged communities across Africa. The Foundation operates in partnership with the Zambian organization Kalingalinga Girls. Through this collaboration, the Foundation supports initiatives focused on education, community development, and creating positive opportunities for children.
Exhibition organizer Yanina Dubeykovskaya highlights the importance of Tingatinga as a first step toward introducing Russian audiences to the culture of the African continent: “We are deeply grateful to the Tingatinga style and to all the artists who continue to work within it for offering such a light, joyful, and truly fairytale-like image of Africa. It is a wonderful first step toward understanding the continent’s culture. At the same time, Russian audiences still have many more steps to take through art, dialogue, and direct engagement with contemporary African artists.”
