Hassan Kadudu - Zanzibar's Classical Impressionist Artist

On Friday October 23rd 2020, Emerson Zanzibar is hosting an exhibition of art by Kadudu a local artist, from 4pm-6pm at the Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel in Stone Town.  The artwork will be available to view following the opening event at the hotel for a number of weeks. 

Art is a talent. But even a talent needs knowledge.”  Kadudu

Kadudu – one of Zanzibar’s first classical impressionists

Kadudu, is one of the first classical impressionists of Zanzibar.  He captures the play of light and colour in the everyday life of Stone Town and its seafront.

Artist ‘true to the bone’, Kadudu courageously, almost obsessively, dedicated his whole life to creating and teaching art. His artistic expression is manifest in its purest forms by using only primary colours in acrylic, translating his feelings and observations into engaging images.

Unfortunately, this year Kadudu suffered a stroke and became partially paralyzed. To help him get back on his feet and support him throughout this hardship his fellow artists initiated this exhibition to raise funds for Kadudu’s treatment by donating their artworks for sale. 

Let’s get together to witness this pure fellowship and participate in true community support.

Kadudu – His Story

Kadudu was greatly inspired by impressionism, expressionism and surrealism

Born on the 10th of February 1971 in Zanzibar, Hassan Kadudu, one of the first classical impressionists of Zanzibar, started his artistic journey quite early in his life, in primary school.

He remembers how in standard 4 he went to town an saw a navy boat in the harbour that really captivated him.  When he got home he tried to draw it from memory by using a ruler to get his pencil lines straight. Later on, when he started studying biology at school, he grew fascinated by the pictures of mammals in the modern biology book and began reproducing them with a pencil.

In secondary school he was  introduced to fine arts and scored high in this subject in form 4. His passion for drawing and art led Kadudu to spend time at the Old Fort, which still remains the main centre for artists of all walks of life to meet up, learn, exhibit and trade. 

At the fort he encountered a couple of Japanese volunteers that came to Zanzibar to teach the craft of batik making. They brought along with them art history books and various art supplies. His favourite book was a book of old masters, through which he discovered such legends as Ruben, Monet, Manet, Sezane, Pissarro etc. He was greatly inspired by impressionism, expressionism and surrealism.

The morning hour feels different from the sunset and consequently things “feel differently too”

Kadudu began to use the tubes of oil colours left behind by the Japanese volunteers to create his impressionist artwork. He improved his skills by observing the play of light and shadows, according to the position of the sun, by studying art books and by applying his newfound knowledge to his art. 

He worked with 3 primary colours only, often mixing them straight on the canvas like his favourite old master of impressionism Monet would do to achieve play of light and colour with endless variations. 

The everyday life of Stone Town and its seafront became his favourite topic to paint. “I paint when I feel it, and the way I feel it. The morning hour feels different from the sunset and consequently things “feel differently too”.

Apart from oils, Kadudu mastered various mediums: pastels, soft charcoal, crayons, watercolours – mostly learning from books.

I paint the way I feel it.”  Kadudu 

I love art and now I share my knowledge and skills

Kadudu’s motto: “No Gain without Pain”

In 1994 he exhibited in Dar es Salaam at Nyumba ya Sanaa and one of his batik paintings was appreciated and purchased by the Japanese embassy.

He courageously, almost obsessively, dedicated his whole life to creating and teaching art to whomever showed zeal and talent for it. “Art is a talent. But even a talent needs knowledge”, said Kadudu. He firmly believes in the power of education, even if it is done through self-teaching and effort. “I love art and now I share my knowledge and skills, so that I could open an opportunity for others.”

Unfortunately, this year 2020 Kadudu had suffered a stroke and became partially paralyzed. But this hasn’t stopped him from following his artistic path. As soon as he could hold a brush with his unaffected right hand, he asked for his tools and colours to be brought from the Old Fort, so he could start working on his new paintings at home. “No gain without pain” stands as his favourite motto even today.

Until now Kadudu remains, for many, a dear friend, cherished mentor and an outstanding example of what true passion for art means and what can be achieved with a conscious effort and self-mastery.

Draw with your eyes. Talk through your eyes.”  Kadudu 

The exhibition will run for several weeks and is curated by Ausiy (Hamza Mohammed Ausiy) and Luba Roshchyna (Luba L Art)

Friends of Kadudu:
AUSIY HM, BONY MWIRU, DAMTU, DULLAH WISE, FATMA, HAMAD, MMADI, MEDI, NAJMA, SAADA, Y KOLA, JASMIN BAKAR

Join Kadudu’s friends in supporting him at the opening event here: Kadudu Art Exhibition Facebook Event

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