Tinga Tinga (also spelled Tingatinga or Tinga-Tinga) is visual art style originating in Tanzania, East Africa. It was started by a single artist in 1968 called Edward Tingatinga who was born near the town Tunduru in south Tanzania sometimes between 1932 and 1936. Today, most of the hundreds of artists who continue to paint in Tinga Tinga style are distant relatives to Edward Tingatinga. Tinga Tinga art became world known and in 2008 Walt Disney and BBC launched animated series called Tinga Tinga Tales which were illustrated by the same artists. There is no perspective, monotonous colors are applied and enamel paints are used. Probably the art has its roots in the wall painting tradition which was observed in central and south Tanzania. Please, read more on www.TingaTinga.org or look at www.TingaTinga.info.
Q-7: WHY SHOULD I BUY TINGA TINGA PAINTINGS?
Tinga Tinga paintings are still a curiosity and add to uniqueness of your home or office. They can be a great present for both young and old friends. The prices of Tinga Tinga paintings steadily grow and it makes them attractive as investment. Some people use Tinga Tinga paintings for therapeutic reasons - the colors are healing!
Q-20: HOW TO BUY THE PAINTINGS?
A: Go to "PURCHASING FORM" and fill in the purchasing form. It is enough that you write the codes of the paintings. In the example above it is "1234". If you donīt like filling the forms, send me mail on Daniel@TANART.org. You will be always contacted to confirm that the paintings are available. Read more about how to buy paintings!
A: After your paintings have been confirmed, I will send you a link and instructions where and how to pay. You can also go to "PAY ONLINE" and pay with VISA card, MasterCard, American Express and PayPal. You can also send the payment on bank account, via Western Union or MoneyGram. Donīt be confused when PayPal appears when you pay with your credit cards! Everything is correct, PayPal enables to pay with VISA and MasterCard securely. To Japanese customers we offer payment in Japan (read below)
A: Write me to Daniel@TANART.org. If you are gallery or art dealer you may get big discount.
Q-60: WHAT IS THE POSTAGE COST TO MY COUNTRY?
If you buy 1 painting, then the postage cost $60 will be added. Then for every additional painting, $20 will be added. Example: If you buy 4 paintings then the total cost will be $60 + $20 +$20 + $20 = $120. So the shipping cost for 4 paintings will be $120.
Q-70: DOES THE TINGA TINGA PAINTINGS CRACK?
A: No, if the quality materials are used. People buying the paintings on their holiday in Tanzania are at risk to be cheated. Many painters use the so called "ngano" as a basic colour. It is a mix of water with wheat powder. Buying the painting through us gives you quality garantee. Not only we use a silk color as a basic but we use a quality canvas, regular frame, dust-free colors etc.
Q-80: WHICH PAINTS DO YOU USE?
We use "Master Paints" made by UAE company called National Paints Factories Co.Ltd. Most often we use"Synthetic Enamel Gloss 1" Transocean Marine Paint based on alkyd resin.
Q-90: HOW DO YOU DELIVER THE PAINTINGS
A: The large paintings we deliver without frame unless you tell us to send it on the frame (expensive). They are rolled in the tube. (see picture). The small paintings are delivered on the frame. The sizes for small paintings are 20x20cm, 30x30cm, 35x30cm, 45x45cm and 30x70cm.
Q-100: CAN YOU SEND THE LARGE PAINTINGS ON FRAME?
A: Yes, the cost will be high. We can also stretch the painting on stretcher bars and frame it in nice frame if your wish. But it is costly and it takes 1-2 extra months to fix it. Better if you stretch the paintings at your local galery. If you are handy, you can do it yourself and spare a lot of money. See how to strech Tinga Tinga paintings
Q-110: IS THE POSTAGE SERVICE RELIABLE?
A: Yes. We use EMS - "Expedited Mail Service - Tanzania" which is reliable. But on request we can send the paintings through DHL, FedEx or any other company you wish.
Q-120: IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRACK THE PARCEL?
Yes, you will receive the so called Tracking Number after the paintings are sent. It is a code which starts with EE and ends with TZ. You will then copy and paste the Tracking Number here.
Q-130: AFTER HOW MANY DAYS WILL THE PAINTINGS ARRIVE TO ME?
A: It can take as few as 4 days to Europe/North America but expect around one week, especially if you are from Asia/South America. The paintings should arrive within 3 weeks.
Q-140: ARE THE PAINTINGS REPRODUCED?
A: The easier motive the easier to reproduce. If you want something very special look more for names and unusual motives. Look at abstract, creative, cartoon and lilanga section. Many painters have developed their own style and only these painters reproduce their own motives. (Example is Abdul Mkura, Omary Amonde) But many painters create unique paintings, never reproduced even by the painter himself (Example: John Kilaka, Mohamed Charinda) This website aims to show as original paintings as possible. But keep in mind that even the reproduced painting is unique - it is still hand -painted and it is never exact copy.
Q-150: TINGA TINGA AS AN INVESTMENT?
A: Most people love their Tinga Tinga paintings and never would sell them. But some people also look at Tinga Tinga paintings as an investment. I think that the prices of the Tinga Tinga paintings are undervalued. We have not yet started to appreciate this art form. We have not yet understood the hidden symbols, the message and the life of the artists. The BBC and Walt Disneyīs "Tinga Tinga Tales" in may help to spread the word Tinga Tinga. But even without Walt Disney there are currently number of other exciting projects. (Heye publisher in Germany is one of most exciting), This website also contributes to spreading the word about Tinga Tinga. I canīt garantee the prices will grow but I believe so, at least for some paintings.
After you Receive the Paintings: Please be carefull when you unrole the pantings. Unrole them in a warm environment because then the colors are "flexible". (see explanation bellow). If you bought the paintings as a present to somebody or as an investment donīt leave them in a tube too long time. At least take them out for a while so you are sure both the paintings and the tube is completely dry. There could be some moisture condensed on the way from hot Africa to your cold place and it is not good for paintings.
How to Strech the Paintings: When you unroll the paintings, stretch them on the stretcher bars, do so in warm environment. I recommend 30-35 degrees Celsius. Do a test: put the paintings in a refrigerator and you will see it will be very hard and difficult to handle. Put the paintings in a bastu/sauna. Now the painting is very flexible. Thatīs why it is good to stretch in warm room. Also this is to avoid any crack.
Please post us new questions to Daniel@TANART.org
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