Undare Mtaki’s textured, soul-infused paintings are redefining Tanzanian identity through ritual, soil, and silence. Writer Anastasia Popova follows his journey from self-built studio to international recognition — and a path that leads, intentionally, to Paris.
Undare Mtaki, Fitanda Boy, 2020. Acrylics, sand and fitanda leaves on linen fabric, 180 x 280cm. Courtesy of the artist.
In a quiet, self-built family home nestled near the ancient hills of Mwanza, Tanzania, an artist is steadily carving out his future — with crushed stone, sacred memory, and unwavering vision. His name is Undare Mtaki, and his work is not just visual art but spiritual cartography. While the world debates the future of Tanzanian art, Mtaki is building it — quietly, intentionally, and powerfully — one brushstroke at a time.
Undere´s Home and Studio in Mwanza, Tanzania.
At just 32, Mtaki is already being recognised as one of Tanzania’s most distinctive artistic voices. He is among the rare few artists whose work feels both ancient and urgent. His richly layered canvases incorporate natural materials such as beach soil from the shores of Lake Victoria, crushed stone, recycled tissue paper, and found textiles — creating textured surfaces that resonate with ancestry and elemental force.
“My work is a conversation between timelines,” he explains. “I want people to feel the spirit of Tanzania — not just see it.”
A New Chapter in Tanzanian Contemporary Art
Undare’s work explores identity, memory, manhood, and womanhood within the framework of Tanzanian life. His visual language draws inspiration from oral history, ritual, and inherited experience — not nostalgia. His process is deeply meditative and intuitive, creating work that exists somewhere between canvas and altar.
There are echoes of Gustav Klimt’s texture and symbolism in Mtaki’s paintings — but instead of gold leaf, he uses volcanic earth. Instead of European mythology, he honours Tanzanian spirits and silences, weaving oral traditions into his material practice.
“We don’t just inherit land,” he says. “We inherit wounds, rituals, and names that must be remembered.”
Mtaki describes his art as self-portraiture across timelines — physical, emotional, and ancestral. Through each piece, he explores what it means to live in a post-independence Tanzania still wrestling with colonial ghosts and global invisibility.
Undare Mtaki, Nyelango, 2020. Acrylics, sand, and granite rock aggregates on linen fabric, 180 x 280cm. Courtesy of the artist.
Rooted Yet Restless
Despite being firmly grounded in Tanzanian soil — both figuratively and literally — Undare Mtaki dreams globally. His next ambition is clear: a solo exhibition in Paris. But unlike many artists chasing validation abroad, Mtaki’s mission is to export Tanzanian culture with clarity, pride, and purpose.
President Samia Suluhu Hassan and former Kenyan President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta stand beside a commissioned painting gifted in 2021 by Tanzania’s State House. Created using acrylic and sand on canvas, the artwork was made by artist Undare Mtaki and symbolises unity and legacy between the two nations.
“I don’t paint to impress,” he says. “I paint so Tanzania will not be forgotten in the global story.”
This bold, culturally anchored approach sets him apart. He isn’t seeking to escape Africa. He is creating work that belongs on the international stage without compromising its origin.
National Recognition, Global Readiness
In late 2023, Mtaki held his first major solo exhibition, ‘The Heart Made of Stone’, at the National Museum of Tanzania. Running from 25 November to 20 December, it marked a significant milestone in his journey and brought national recognition to his name.
Now, he is prepared to share his vision with the world — not in a rush, but with deliberate care, just as he approaches each canvas.
“The story of Tanzania deserves space on the world’s walls.”
Mrs. Adelaide Sallema, Director of The National Museum of Tanzania, at the opening of ‘The Heart Made of Stone’ exhibition with artist Undare Mtaki (Nov 25 – Dec 20, 2023).
A Gallery of His Own
In 2021, Mtaki took the bold step of founding his own gallery. Undarey Gallery, located in The Slipway — a cultural and tourist hub in Dar es Salaam — offers a space not only for his own exhibitions but also for education, mentorship, and community engagement within the Tanzanian art scene.
“I wanted to build something lasting,” he shares. “A place where Tanzanian art is treated with respect — as something worthy of study, preservation, and pride.”
The gallery stands as a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit, his leadership in the cultural sector, and his refusal to wait for institutions to define his worth.
Undarey Gallery, The Slipway, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
A Call to the World
What makes Undare Mtaki so compelling is not just his mastery of the material but his clarity of vision. His art is emotionally intelligent, spiritually grounded, and globally resonant. He is not creating for the market. He is creating for the sake of meaning, memory, and future generations.
As a curator, writer, and creative strategist working with creatives for over a decade, I have witnessed many artists emerge. But few offer what Mtaki does: a fusion of skill, integrity, and originality that transcends borders.
Now, as he charts his path to Paris and beyond, this is a genuine invitation to art institutions, curators, and cultural thinkers across Europe and the world:
If you are seeking an artist with soul, purpose, and vision — one who redefines Tanzanian contemporary art with every piece — reach out to Undare Mtaki. The time is now.
For more information, please visit Undarey Gallery.
Anastasia Popova is a changemaker and founder of Anastasiable Creative Agency, working at the intersection of storytelling, visual culture, and brand strategy across Africa. Based in Dar es Salaam, Anastasia works closely with artists and cultural institutions to elevate East African voices on the global stage at Rangi Gallery and beyond.
