Sile Salimini: Inspired By Life

Tanzania Sat 27-01-2007

Sile Salimini: Inspired By Life
By Laurent Wastelain

Much of his artwork is inspired by the typical daily African life. His style of art mainly borders on realism but that does not stop him from creating beautiful abstract pieces.

Meet Sile Salimini, a 54-year old Tanzanian, whose love and practice of art dates back to his days in primary school.

That is no small achievement as his many years as an artist has given him unrivalled experience. It was at his primary school that Sile first tried his hand at drawing and painting pictures with acrylics, or with water and oil colours.

Although it was his Arts and Crafts teacher that encouraged him and first made him aware of his talent, Sile did not know then that he had just started on a journey of self education in regard to art. He never attended any formal art school after primary school. And he still hasn’t!

But his talent would not let him sit still. While still a young man, he designed emblems for major Tanzanian institutions. His efforts began to pay off especially when in the early ‘70s, he won an award for coming up with a drawing that depicted the relationship and cooperation that was between the former Democratic Republic of Germany and African countries.

One of the exhibitions that he fondly remembers in which his work was showcased was one held in Arusha whose focus was to raise funds for HIV/Aids victims.

His two entries at the exhibition sold out in a hurry! Although Sile has never been part of an organized art exhibition in all his years as an artist, his one main dream is to stage a solo exhibition and showcase his works of great talent soon.

His other dream is to set up his own website, and expand to reach a wider market than he is able to do now. Most of his clientele today is the large community of foreigners who live in Arusha.

But before he can stage a solo exhibition or set up his own website, Sile keeps himself busy working at the Arusha-based Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation and Rural Technology as a Public Relations officer.

Posted By: African Colours

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