Yussuf Bayuu, Artist Of The Month

Tanzania Thu 15-02-2007

Yussuf Bayuu, Artist Of The Month
By Laurent Wastelain

Thirty four year old Yussuf Bayuu is one of the most well known artists in the Zanzibar Island. Bayuu’s paintings have over the years won him several awards and honours. To his greatest acclaim, when he was only 16 years old, Bayuu won the gold medal at the 19th International Children Art Exhibition Award in 1989.

The medal must have inspired Bayuu to pursue his passion in art unreservedly. After he completed his high school education in 1992, he took painting, printing and art lessons at the Art and Craft Factory in Zanzibar. Still feeling that he needed more training, in 2002, he attended a five-week bridging course entitled “Introduction to Visual Art”. In the same year, he also participated in a Hand made Papermaking and Paper casting training workshop.

Bayuu has been part of several exhibitions in Tanzania. He presented some of his paintings at the 19th International Children’s Art Exhibitions in 1989, one of which won him the gold medal.

But he has also exhibited his work at the Aga Khan Culture Services Art Exhibition in Zanzibar in 1999, at the Zanzibar International Film Festival Art Exhibition in 2000, at a Group Exhibition at the Serena Inn Hotel of Zanzibar in 2004, at the Makutano Art Exhibition in Dar es Salaam in 2006 and many more.

Several pieces of his work are permanently displayed at the Kibiriti Curio Shop in Zanzibar; at the Zanzibar Art Studio; at the Ocean Paradise Hotel in Zanzibar and at the hall of the Kampinski Hotel of Zanzibar. Given his fame in the island, Bayuu has been receiving several commissions for his work from various people around the island.

As an affirmation of the great art appeal of his work, Bayuu’s paintings were selected for the International Postage Stamp Design Competition in 1997, for the Poster for the Zanzibar Film Festival of Dhow Country in 2000 and for the Unicef Poster for Mother and Child World Week, also in 2000.

One of his paintings was published as illustrations in the Swahili Coast Map. Another one was published in the Zanzibar Stone Town Architectural Exploration Book. In 2000, his painting was adopted for the UNICEF book for people and Malaria.

During his spare time, Bayuu spends his time teaching art and techniques to young artists in Zanzibar. His talent is now recognized in Zanzibar and several of his paintings were sold to tourists from all over the world.

Posted By: African Colours

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