The most Unique way a Tanzanian Artists in telling the African story
“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” -Edgar Degas
Ngaira Mandara is one of the unique talents, examples of genius + creativity + storytelling brought to life. He is a Tanzania born illustrator that is using both traditional and digital tools to bring African truth into life in the most exquisite ways.
The importance of artistic expression throughout history is more evidently powerful than best of armies combined. Imagination breathes hope untold and brings life unimagined.
Some of Ngaira’s works are:
Yasuke: The African Samurai
In the 16th century a tall African man arrived in Japan and later became known as Yasuke. He became a Samurai under the rule of Oda Nobunaga — a powerfuk Japanese feudal lord who was the first of the three unifiers of Japan. — #NgairaM
Amina: Warrior Queen of Zazzau
Amina was a warrior queen of the Zazzau (now Zaria) which is in modern day Nigeria. She ruled around the 16th century. The many stories I read and watched inspired me to draw this illustration.
Poster challenge: The Children of Lake Victoria
“The story I made up is about a group of children who go out and explore the mysteries of Lake Victoria. I wanted to take a more realism visual with this poster. It could be a book, a movie, or an animation.” — #Ngaira
Ngaira’s art is inspired by day to day experience and the touch of real life African stories that tell the warrior and conquiering spirit driving the continent.
Check out some of Ngaira’s video series :
Bao: This was inspired by an illustration he did from #thestreetsofzanzibar series. See Video Here.
Karibu Zanzibar: He went to Zanzibar to relax and found himself getting inspiration left right and center. The first inspiration came when he saw some kids diving. He did an illustration about it and thought to himself “yea… this needs an animation as well” . See Video Here.
The masai dance: When he started doing the dance themed animation, he came across a video of the masai traditional dance. The moment he saw it he knew he had to do an animation about it. See Video Here.
The knife sharpener: “Sometimes an idea just hits me and I want to try animating it since I have never done it before. It is more out of curiosity on how I would approach it.” — #Ngaira See Video Here.
Drummers animation: “ This was a tough one. I wanted to animate a group of people and try to synchronize it with the drums they were playing. Needless to say it did not come out as perfectly as I wanted it to BUT I learned a loooot just from the process.” — #Ngaira See Video Here.
Kiduku dance animation: Continuing on the dance theme, this was inspired by the Kiduku dance. Artist: Kashadiwa Ti Song: Kiduku. See Video Here.
Traditional dance animation: “ Inspired by the dancers in Makumbusho village, I wanted to challenge myself in animating a dancing loop. It was a really fun experience and I learned quite a bit.” — #Ngaira See Video Here.
Currently Ngaria is working on bringing Art to Life with AR.
“ Imagine pointing your phone camera to one of my prints bringing it to life.This is the project @shalua_ and I have been working on this year and we are proud to present the teaser. Streets of Dar the AR exhibition coming soon” said Ngaira in one of his recent tweet.
Stay tuned for more by following him on Twitter, Instagram and Visit his website.
Signed, itravelar Magazine Editors
