Strauss & co - 15 February 2020, Cape Town

86 THE PROPERTY OF A COLLECTOR LOTS 53–74 69 GEORGE LILANGA TANZANIAN 1934–2005 Wafulaiya w kuzaliwa kwa mtoto wao kutimiza mika mitato toka kuzaliwa signed; inscribed with the title on the reverse enamel on board 98 by 78,5cm R80 000 – 120 000 PROVENANCE The Jean Pigozzi Contemporary African Art Collection. Sotheby’s, London, 24 June 1999, lot 44. Christie’s, Paris, 31 May 2010, lot 173. Bonhams, London, 28 February 2018, lot 50. 70  GEORGE LILANGA TANZANIAN 1934–2005 Naomba Uniambie Neno la Mwisho signed; signed and inscribed with the title on the reverse enamel on board 60 by 60cm R60 000 – 80 000 Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Capt. Felix Lorenz in a sleeve attached to the reverse. George Lilanga was born in Kikwetu village, near the Mozambique/ Tanzania border, and from a young age was encouraged to carve in soft cassava roots and later in hard African blackwood. His work is now instantly recognisable. Moved by traditional Makonde sculpture – with its twisting figures and serpentine silhouettes – Lilanga developed a unique two-dimensional aesthetic based on lively, elongated forms, geometric pattern, and rich, clashing colour. While aspects of his work revolve around social critique, his paintings, enlivened by zoomorphic figures, are inevitably infused with humour.