Lot 52 – 2014

George Lilanga (Tanzanian, 1934-2005)
Untitled (the villager), undated
Signed ‘Lilanga’ (on the base)
Painted wooden sculpture
64 x 22.5 x 15cm
Ksh 110,000-175,000
US$ 1,200 – 2,000
Sold Ksh 199,580

Provenance: private collection

Lilanga’s works were inspired by the spirit world of the Makonde tribe in southern Tanzania. He began training as a sculptor in 1961, making wood carvings in the traditional Makonde style. In 1970 he moved to Dar es Salaam where he encountered the Tinga Tinga School which had a profound effect on his work. In 1978 he made his first trip to New York and the following year participated in a group exhibition of African artists in Washington.

Infamous graffiti artist Keith Haring saw his paintings there and later acknowledged that this encounter had had a significant influence on his own work. Today Lilanga is one of the region’s most celebrated artists and features in many important private and institutional collections of African art.