The fabulous world of John Kilaka
Pictures and drawings by a Tanzanian artist
 

The painter, illustrator and author John Kilaka from Tanzania collects stories. He travels round the countryside on foot or by bicycle and writes down the tales the villagers tell him. They are traditional African animal fables, which deal with friendship, conflict and reconciliation and the solidarity of the community. John Kilaka illustrates the stories with powerful, vibrant pictures in the Tanzanian Tingatinga style.

They are decorative, colourful, witty and charmingly told, and their naive force and cultural remoteness. makes them particularly appealing. The exhibition shows a selection of the original illustrations for the picture books “Frische Fische” (Fresh Fish), “Gute Freunde” (True Friends) and “Der wunderbare Baum” (The Amazing Tree). Free work and drawings are shown in addition to the illustrations painted on the large screens.

John Kilaka will be present!