Acclaimed Kingston-based artist Heather Haynes will be debuting her newest collection of paintings, Worlds Collide at an art opening at Gallery Raymond. This truly unique show will not only feature Haynes’ latest work but will also introduce the work of five artists she met while travelling in Tanzania – four of whom are street children in the town of Moshi.
Robert Luta is a 39 year old professional artist who Haynes had the pleasure of painting with during her 6 week stay in Moshi, Tanzania. “He is an incredibly talented an kind man,” muses Haynes, “He and I share a passion for painting that comes from the same internal place, although we are physically separated by thousands of miles”.
The other four artists collectively form a group they call “The Hard Life Artists”. Haynes’ met these boys through a chance encounter during her family’s stay in Tanzania. She was afforded extra time to formulate the plan for this art show, when her passport was stolen and she was forced to stay on for an extra week, while her family travelled home without her. “These boys met each other while living at a shelter for street kids,” says Haynes. “They each have a unique story as to how they ended up there, but what they shared is a passion for painting.”
The boys, who often work together on paintings and split the proceeds, have a dream of opening a school to introduce and inspire other street kids to paint. “On July 1st, they held a class for the first time and over a dozen kids attended!”, says Haynes, who also introduced them to Robert Luta, who has quickly become their teacher and mentor.
Haynes’ new work, a mix of African-inspired paintings and her tree series, will hang along side the work of all five Tanzanian Artists. All the money generated through the sale of the five African artists’ work will be going directly back to them to help them with living expenses and to help establish their school.
Gallery Raymond donated all of the frames for the African pieces, allowing for a higher price tag to be attributed to each. The money that makes up the difference in the original pricing of the unframed pieces will be earmarked for buying materials to encourage girls and women to paint. “When I was in Africa, I don’t think that I saw a single female artist!”, says Haynes who plans to return to Moshi, Tanzania this fall to teach painting to women artists.
Wow, that is a nice positive story! I am working with street children at Amani Children's Home in Moshi, and would love to know more about these children and their talents. Heather, if you see this, please get in touch. Best regards,
Meindert Schaap,
Exec. Director "Amani Children's Home", Moshi, Tanzania