Thobias is a Painter and Filmmaker, born in Mwanza Tanzania.
A shy and quiet little boy, it was as if he was never there in a home of five siblings. His father was a teacher and his mother was a hands-on housewife. Thobias definitely got his talent from his father, who hid his own artistic talents through his career as a teacher because at that point in time, being an artist was something frowned upon.
His parents finally came around and supported Thobias in his pursuit of an art education and career after, he persistently won art competitions at school, county, district and regional levels.
He will never forget the day his father gave him his first allowance in support of his participation at a Regional level competition; prior to this, Thobias had received zero support from his parents.
When Thobias moved to the big city, he met and found a community of like minded people and he felt right at home. While attending informal training and workshops, he developed an artistic style that utilizes fabric, wood and thread to convey images and feelings. The tactile nature of fabric allows him to create semi-abstract pieces. His paintings depict women and children, the role they play in African daily life, and the challenges they face within developing countries.
Thobias displayed his work in two solo exhibitions in Tanzania and Kenya and several group exhibitions around East Africa, as well as in the USA, Spain, Denmark, Finland and Norway. Also he participated in various workshops and residencies in Tanzania and Denmark. His paintings are held in collections at Muhimbili National Hospital, Aga Khan Hospital Dar es salaam Tanzania, The Prime Minister’s office, and The State House in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania.
Joy to Thobias is found every time he completes a piece of art and someone loves it. Besides art, Thobias loves to swim. If he were to be another species on earth, it would definitely be a fish. Thobias is also a bit of a movie fanatic with a love for fantasy and detective movies. In addition, he loves to explore and learn new things through travel. His dream project would be to have a solo exhibition/workshop abroad.
Thobias would consider his fan base his biggest achievement thus far, he regards it as, “beyond belief.” His dream is to own his own gallery or art center where he would have the opportunity to teach art to aspiring artists and leave a legacy behind long after he departs this earth.