Guludo Beach lodge has long been heralded for its simple yet traditional construction designs. The luxury bandas are a work of art in themselves, although over recent months a touch of flamboyant Mozambican colour can be seen dotted around Guludo’s pristine white washed walls. The artist himself is the modestly self named Leonard Da Vinci, a Tanzanian immigrant who found peace and artistic licence amongst the welcoming inhabitants of Guludo Village.
His medium of oil on canvas is as traditional as it comes but his ever-changing technique and style is astonishing. Just over the past few months he has gone from huge colourful animal cartoons to more impressionist pieces of leopards, zebras and elephants in their local habitat. Even these canvases were struck by Leonard’s signature outbursts of strong shapes and vivid colours. A venture into surrealism saw a one armed fisherman compete against a highly controversial piece depicting local women with more than a fair amount of extra trunk space. A brief foray into cubism followed, which saw his paintings take on a more South American feel but the use of colour was unmistakable.
Leonard has received unprecedented success since he started exhibiting at the lodge with guests and staff alike pouncing on the chance to take home a once in a life time master-piece. You don’t have to look far to find Leonards biggest fan at Guludo. Our very own American Dive Instructor/ Art Collector, Dominic, has virtually become his patron. One step into his humble staff banda and you are greeted by an explosion of bold colours and strong shapes that can only be described as ‘vintage Leonard Da Vinci’. When asked for a quote on the passion he so obviously holds for the Tanzanian artist he claimed the paintings were ‘very prerogative...’ I think this translates as provocative, either that or he’s decided to use Ki-mwani to give his adjective a bit of extra weight, we’re still working on that.
Anyway the now happily married Leonard is sending out paintings thick and fast which is great news for art aficionados everywhere. A purchase of one of these gems also sees $10 of your investment go into our sister foundation Nema. He also will happily work on commission although please don’t expect photographic likeness, more an artist’s interpretation of the colours and shapes that really define you. His alter ego Leonardo would have been proud, and if not he would definitely take an interest in the hand-crafted eco-showers. A construction that I’m sure would not be lost on the great mind of the high renaissance master.
