April 26, 2014

Yael Maree, Kili Tingatinga Art

Made by Hand | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

At a Glance

Kili Tingatinga Art is dedicated to bringing this unique painting style to Australia and helping the communities that create Tingatinga artwork, where poverty and hunger are everyday realities.

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Bio The path that led her to this point

I'm almost 34 years old, a mother to two incredible kids, Ella and Jimmy, and married to one fantastic man, who supports me in all my crazy and other just ordinary ideas ;)

We've been married for three years but dated for just over 10 years before we made it "official".

I am Israeli by birth and have been very lucky to travel most of the world in my twenties. I have lived in Israel, Nigeria, South Africa, UK, Thailand and now Australia.

We visited Dar es Salaam, Tanzania during my first pregnancy and we came across the Tingatinga painting market. The images were incredibly vivid and I loved the different styles and themes. I bought a few Tingatinga paintings for the house and one for my unborn daughter to put in her nursery. Turns out it was a great idea, she loved it from birth and we have used it to learn about animals, colours and make up bed-time stories.

The Tingatinga paintings in the lounge always got commented on by visitors; how beautiful they were, how they wished they could have some. Finally, the images of the artists sitting on muddy ground wearing torn pants and shoes with holes gave us the inspiration to bring this art to the word.

Kili Tingatinga Art was born from a passion for art and the will to help a third-world community full of incredible talent.

Having spent much of my life in Africa, I am familiar with real poverty and hunger and the reality of giving to charities. The money hardly ever ends up in the right pockets and those who need it most lose out.

The idea to bring, introduce and showcase Tingatinga Art worldwide was born. Not only would we be able to tell the stories of the art from and the amazing artists creating it, but also we will help communities get food on their table and help create sustainability in a region which is struggling with poverty.

Q&A Insider advice & tips

What's been your greatest achievement to date?

Just getting started; any time I make a sale that's success in my eyes. Kili Tingatinga Art is still very small and growing slowly, I will feel like I have been successful once Tingatinga art becomes more recognisable across Australia and then the world.

What's been your biggest challenge so far?

My biggest challenge has been that my suppliers are in a third-world country miles and miles away, some things get lost in translation as we are dealing with a language barrier. Also, we are dealing with a region where electricity and the internet is not always on our side. The other big challenge is an emotional one. Although not all the painters paint to the same quality we really do want to help as many as we can and so we do buy lower quality paintings knowing we will unlikely sell them, but we feel that it is important for us to do.

Best lesson you've learned along the way?

Everything! There is so much I would change, but mainly I think that I need to stop buying into other people's idea of success and how to achieve it and just follow my own path!

A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?

Intuition... ;)

Which person or brand do you most admire and why?

I admire the work done by Fair Trade Australia and the businesses associated with the Fair Trade principle.

What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?

Do your research! Work slowly and remember that art is all about appeal, what may appeal to you may not appeal to your customers! Niche down and know your target market.