Emerson Zanzibar Visual Arts Awards 2023

Hadithi ya Bibi (Grandmother’s Story)

The Art Exhibition “Hadithi ya Bibi” is officially opened.

All this year’s participating artists are between 18 and 35 years old and their artworks all follow their interpretation of the theme of the exhibition. This year’s theme is ‘Grandmother’s Story’.  Through this exhibition the new generation is connecting to the older history.

On the 8th of December the annual Art Award will be presented to one of the participating artists. You are welcome to this event from 4pm in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Art Gallery by Emerson on Hurumzi hotel.

Curious about the artworks? Do come over for the exhibition daily between 10.00 and 18.00 and the artworks will be on display until the 7th of January 2024.

If you would like to see all the artists involved in this year’s Art Award and Exhibition download the full list here.

DOWNLOAD PDF OF ARTISTS & BIO

Participating Artists 2023

In November 2023, Emerson Zanzibar Foundation put out a call for all artists to participate in this joint exhibition. To celebrate local art and culture, the Emerson Zanzibar Foundation launched its 3rd Visual Arts Award, with the winner announced and award presentation in the week of the exhibition. Currently around a dozen artists are participating in the exhibition and prestigious award.

The Art Exhibition is at the Gallery in Emerson on Hurumzi – December 2023-January 2024

Facebook Instagram
All Artists A-K L-Z
5. CAMII - BIO
5. OPENING POSTER_CAMII
5. SAMIRA_CAMII
8. DULLAH WISE
8. DULLAH WISE_BIO
8. OPENING POSTER_DULLAH WISE
9. FAKI
9. FAKI_BIO
9. OPENING POSTER_FAKI
10 OPENING POSTER FATUMA
10. FATUMA BIO
10. FATUMA
1. NASSOR
1. NASSOR - BIO
1. OPENING POSTER_NASSOR
11. MIGO
11. MIGO BIO
11. OPENING POSTER MIGO
7. ROGOO
7. ROGOO_BIO
7. OPENING POSTER_ROGOO
2. SIZYA
2. SIZYA - BIO
2. OPENING POSTER_SIZYA
3. SUZANA
3. SUZANA - BIO
3. OPENING POSTER_SUZANA
6. TARA
6. TARA BIO
6. OPENING POSTER_TARA
4. YUSSUF MOH_D KHAMIS
4. YUSSUF - BIO
4. OPENING POSTER_YUSSUF

How this online gallery works:

  • To view each artist and bio just click on the Artist’s image.  
  • Swipe right to see the next artist in alphabetical order.
  • You can share each of the images to social media, if you wish.

The Particpants 2023

This year all participating artists were between 18 and 35 years old and their artworks follow their interpretation of the theme of the exhibition. Through this exhibition the new generation is connecting to the older local history. See the video of the participants.  With thanks to the movie producer: Merete Stubhaug.

The 3rd Art Award Exhibition officially opened

Yussuf received the award for his artwork “Jiko La Zamani”.

Thank you Salma Adym for hosting and MCing.  Thanks to the trustees for their attendance and supportive words, and thanks to the guest of honor, Dr Omar of the Baraza la Sanaa, who promised to arrange certificates for all participants for their participation in the exhibition and for registering the artists for free.

Thanks also to the first buyers, one artwork by Suzana was sold already!

All participating artists are between 18 and 35 years old and their artworks all follow their interpretation of the theme of the exhibition. Through this exhibition the new generation is connecting to the older history.

The Awards 2023

On the 8th of December the annual Art Award was presented by Dr Omar of BASSFU in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Art Gallery by Emerson on Hurumzi Hotel.

Yussuf received the award for his artwork “Jiko La Zamani”. Rogoo was runner up with his artwork Strong Woman. The people’s choice award went to Camii (Samira Said Ail) for the artwork Beauty of Jang’ombe.

A Year since the Emerson Zanzibar Art Gallery Opened

Celebrating Art – Art Exhibition & Artists’ Stories

Emerson Zanzibar Foundation believes passionately in promoting and preserving the local culture of Zanzibar, in visual art, musical art, film and literacy.

Emerson Zanzibar 3rd Art Award

On the 8th of December the annual Art Award will be presented to one of the participating artists. You are welcome to this event from 4pm in the Emerson’s Zanzibar Art Gallery by Emerson on Hurumzi hotel.

Curious about the artworks? Do come over for the exhibition daily between 10.00 and 18.00 and the artworks will be on display until the 7th of January 2024.

Emerson Zanzibar Foundation Celebrating Local Artists

Artists join Emerson Zanzibar to inspire local creativity

During the worldwide Covid Pandemic, Emerson Zanzibar Hotels started holding art exhibitions in a different way to how they had been done previously. These were curated exhibitions, styled around a live interview with the artist. Everyone was welcomed in Emerson Zanzibar style – from the few, curious tourists to residents, to invited special guests – with fresh hibiscus juice, ginger tea, local snacks and sweets lovingly made by the hotel’s chef.

A group of artists approached Emerson Zanzibar with the request to organise an exhibition with both established and young, upcoming artists – to provide an opportunity for well established artists to share their experiences and for the young a chance to show their work publicly.

The idea grew from visual art, expanding to creativity in music, a special dinner planned to share local creativity in gastronomy and also combined with the regular Emerson Zanzibar Foundation’s award to celebrate Zanzibari film-makers.

Emerson Zanzibar is not just hotels and restaurants; since our doors opened, Emerson Zanzibar has been very closely connected to the creative sector. And so the Visual Arts awards began…’ 

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