John Kilaka

As a young child in Tanzania, John Kilaka drew pictures in the sand. When he started school, he felt lucky to find paper, pencils, and colored chalk. Whenever there was any room on the blackboard, he drew pictures there. His classmates loved them; his teachers did not. In 1987, Kilaka moved from his village to Dar es Salaam, where he studied with artist Peter Martin at the village museum. He has traveled around Tanzania collecting stories.

As a young child in Tanzania, John Kilaka drew pictures in the sand. When he started school, he felt lucky to find paper, pencils, and colored chalk. Whenever there was any room on the blackboard, he drew pictures there. His classmates loved them; his teachers did not. In 1987, Kilaka moved from his village to Dar es Salaam, where he studied with artist Peter Martin at the village museum. He has traveled around Tanzania collecting stories. See less