IDAROUS NASSOR IDAROUS PROFILE
Idarous was born and raised in Zanzibar, Stone Town, Tanzania. He went to Forodhani Primary school. He lives in Gizenga street, in the middle of Stone Town. He has a workshop at Soko Muhogo street where he does his work he is hoping to relocate to Cardiff, Wales in 2025, pending immigration process.
While he was in school, he liked to draw with pencil. It was his hobby and he continued also later on to make the signboards for shops and small businesses. He taught himself to paint and developed his own style and techniques while looking at different examples for inspiration. His friend also taught him how to paint and he continues to learn.
He went to Haile Selassi Secondary school and in 1992 he worked at the workshop at Zanzibar Trands Company to sew shirts on the sewing machine. He got work in local restaurants and in 1995 he started to work with the grocery company Mohammed Enterprise Tanzania Limited Company. The company closed in 2001 and from that time, he did his drawing as a full-time profession.
He creates a range of art using a wide variety of materials in the use of oil which is his favourite method, watercolour, acrylic paints, on canvas, wood, metal, ceramics, and tiles to produce one-off pieces, also makes jewellery, fashion apparel, and glass work.
He has an excellent reputation and considered to be top of his profession. He does done work for large companies painting their branding and moto’s on both internal/exterior walls and on a full range of company equipment he has also painted large murals for schools and government. He has also painted for his president’s on many occasions, which is a real honour to be chosen out of so many other talented artists.
I specialise as a realistic Portrait artist - painting people, landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, animals, beloved pets and still-life.
I paint from picture’s given to me by my clients. As a realist artist my work is deeply influenced by me carefully studying the picture first and listening to what the picture is saying to me then I paint exactly what I see and feel and through my paintings I seek to invite viewers to celebrate life’s precious moments captured in a moment in time.
Using my techniques I have developed in the last 30+ years, I ensure I capture the right scale and perspective. The use of light and shade, colour and contrast, layering those tiny details. I paint the scenes in layers, starting from sketching, then the background details for far and then move closer to front and continue to add the details giving the painting a sense of depth and movement and the last touch details brings them to life.
I love to capture the details in how the shade and light reflects on buildings, the clouds and the sky, the mood and emotion on people’s faces, patterns in their clothing, the sense of movement in the water, and all of the tiny details giving my paintings the realistic touch.
I immerse myself into my paintings and will continue to be a devoted artist, these moments can never be captured again, it is one moment in time, a piece of history which I am very honoured to be invited to create.
I was an active member of ‘Zanzibar Chawaviaza Artist Group’ and ‘Zanzibar Artists Group’ from 2015 to 2024. The Chairman invited me to paint many different paintings over the years which we used in a number of exhibitions and workshops.
I did 3 exhibitions and a number of workshops over the years and received recognition by winning one of these.
Received certificate of achievement award for outstanding dedication and volunteerism to ‘The Business of Being an Artist in Tanzania Artists Professional Development Program in July 2011’.
Association Franco-Zanzibarite – Certificate in 2014 Festival de La Francophonie.
I was honoured by ‘winning’ for my painting entered in 2015 Festival de La Francophonie.
Emersons Zanzibar foundation awarded for artwork theme ‘Maisha ya Zanzibar’ visual art award in 2022.
Alison Lewis Profile
I started painting as a way to relax in the evening after a long day working. I was delighted that my family and friends loved what I was painting and they wanted to buy them. I then started to sell my paintings at local fairs and online marketplaces.
I decided to set up my business Master Inspired Artwork with the aim to be able to retire from my full-time job working in the NHS as a Project Manager to be able to concentrate on painting full-time. After meeting Idarous who brings so much experience and knowledge, he inspired me that it could become a reality. I’m so pleased to be working with him, we have built a very strong partnership.
I’ve added to my collection, hand-painted Gin, Wine and Champagne glasses. As well as offering hand-painted Christmas Glass baubles. Bringing the joy of owning unique pieces of art on glass to celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities.
I will also be extending my range of hand-painted glasses to celebrate special days throughout the year. This will include Valentines Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Easter, St David’s Day, St Patricks Day and Halloween.