Maliondo, 21, was raised by his poor single mother in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. He started drawing as a young boy, and art is all he has wanted to do ever since. Unite The World With Africa discovered Maliondo painting in a dark insecure alleyway by day and in a dirty bathroom with a single light bulb by night. Unite built for Maliondo a proper studio space where he is now able to paint and live in a safe, clean environment. Unite is also working with Maliondo to help create an international demand for his work by securing buyers for his paintings in America. In addition to growing his business, Maliondo’s ambitions include starting an art program in Dar Es Salaam so he can teach his methods and techniques to aspiring artists. Maliondo has never received any formal art training of any kind. To commission an oil painting from Maliondo, email anne@uniteafricafoundation.org.
Maliondo’s self portrait, 2019