Few Kenyans know much about Tanzanian art, unlike the Ugandan scene which is bustling with art galleries and artists, many of whom make their way to Kenya to exhibit everywhere from Circle Art Gallery to Village Market and Banana Hill Gallery.
Many people have heard of Tinga Tinga, first from the animated series of African folk stories, and then, from the musical by Eric Wainaina and Claudia Lloyd. But most of them may not know that Edward Saidi Tinga Tinga was a Tanzanian artist who was a humble bicycle repair man before he picked up painting (using enamel bike paint on scavenged ceiling boards) and realised being an artist was more lucrative than fixing bikes. But once he did, he began training all his relatives and friends to follow in his footsteps, which they have.
