Welcome to homely, thank you for stopping by, this is our new blog segment that intends to connects you with home lovers, artists, home brands and traders that we interact with in our world of interior design.

On monthly basis we will feast your eyes with interesting stories on culture, art, home brands and places that will inspire you to love your home more than ever never before .

First up is my dear friend and sister Lorna who recently launched one of a kind, one-stop shop art gallery, shop ,classes and hang out spot known as Rangi gallery which has been her dreams since a young age.

Life brought us closer in different forms, met her first through my former boss who’d been my number one cheerleader on this venture and literally my first client. Secondly had run to her for legal consultation during my divorce , all I have in mind is her modern law firm office, her independent office was galvanised with grand white shelves full of books, art pieces, family pictures and outstanding furnishings that truly defined her love for interior design and art .

I am thrilled to chat with her today about her new venture over lunch at her beautiful home, Enjoy.

Can you tell us a little about your aspirations and what brought you to start an Art Gallery ?

As a little girl, I remember spending countless hours drawing , sketching and impressing my teachers with my artistic hand. Subjects like mathematics and physics were not subjects that moved me and frankly, I was not competent in them either. Unfortunately, given the cultural preferences and the generation I grew up in, I was unable to pursue an education that would position me to be immersed in the art scene however, my love for art remained within me eagerly waiting to burst out.

I started with collecting art pieces from around the world and through my exposure and collection, my enthusiasm to start an art gallery grew to the point where I would rather starve in order to buy a very beautiful piece of art, with the knowledge that one day this piece of art would be worth something significant. Furthermore, I can be quite particular and can spend years looking for a specific piece, so that is basically what motivated and inspired me to start the business.

My first gallery (Ujamaa Art Gallery) – yes, I had a gallery prior Rangi – which I co- owned with a lovely lady who I admire and look upto. Our endevour struggled, given the lack of awareness and purchasing power in art in Tanzania then, so it did not work out too well. Therefore, after a couple of years of running, we had to shut it down. It was a painful experience (emotionally and financially) yet, there were many lessons I learned and carried on into the birth of Rangi.

Life took its course, I somehow found myself as single mother, left alone to tend for myself and my daughter. I knew at the time, I had to hold off on pursuing my dream a bit longer. So, I did what I was trained to do professionally (Lawyer) and did some consulting work then eventually opened up my law firm , that kept us going and provided the necessary comforts.

However, ten years later, my unending love of the arts would not stop no matter how much I submerged myself in the law firm and other the family business. The gallery would be the first and last thing I thought about on daily. I always felt that I always focused on the wrong thing.

When it finally hit me, that art is at the core of my life purpose. I started planning on how to transition yet, making very little progress on the actual transition. Then, it was just last 2 years that I got to experience my AHAA moment when the news of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting Tanzania, testing positive and falling extremely sick. I realized that “I might just die not having done what I love to do the most,” so that is when I decided to launch my gallery, virtually, and operate it as if I was operating a physical space. So, I did and here we are now. It started as a dream that became virtual and now has a physical space.

So maybe my courage and risk-taking behaviour finally paid off and I can finally be able to do that one thing that I love to do more than anything else in this world.

And just maybe, my innate love for art, space and design has been a blessing in disguise. And that I could finally put it to good use. Finally allowing myself to explore and expose the Tanzanian art scene globally and exhibit these findings locally.

I am glad this passion has enabled me to think outside the box and found an innovative solution to pursuing my dream and making it a reality not only virtually but physically as well. Also because I freely can express myself. Through this endeavour, I am in a way, bestowed the luxury to sell the artworks I want , by the artists I admire.

My hope is to contribute to the arts and empower people like me to build a collaborative working environment and hopefully leave an impact that is constructive to the art world, allowing room for continuous learning and growth in this sector that I feel is so under-tapped but full of potential.

How would you describe your personal style and aesthetics ?

I have never been one to be categorized in one box when it comes to style and aesthetics, it always comes down to my mood, what it is I am feeling at the moment, and I gather inspiration from that. It could be vintage today, bohemiain tomorrow, super chic next year. It all depends on the very core of my being at that moment in time. I have a tendency and love of Monochrome as I like leaning towards Achromatic colours as a base, but sometimes have outburst of other, very bright colours, be it in visuals, fashion, music and all things art.

One thing that stays constant is the love and taste of the nature of beauty in all its forms.

What do you love more about art ?

How it makes me feel.

Art can make me feel many things, it stirs up emotions and makes me feel alive by triggering many parts of my psyche.

What’s next for you ?

Live my truth because I am currently living my dreams in all aspects of my life. Make Rangi gallery become Tanzania’s leading art gallery by running a one-stop art gallery by providing a space – virtually and physically where it explores what art is, what the discipline entails, showcases and distributes the widest definition of art and its forms, illustrating the value of both amateur and professional art. When that’s done, grow it across Africa and then go Global.

What’s your soft advice for aspiring artist and art lovers in general ?

I am not quite sure; I am the best person to ask this question considering it took me so long to get here. I have not had the typical journey to get here and nor am i near the end of it. What I experienced is not taught in art school or in any school for that matter but what I know for sure is as follows:

Follow your dreams. Do what you love to do because you will never go wrong in doing what comes naturally to you. There's a huge satisfaction of doing what you love and enjoying it.

Work, work every day towards your goals/dreams, don’t listen to people that compromise that goal/dream. There is no greater satisfaction than when you toil in doing your passion and you succeed.

As for my fellow art lovers, If a piece of art moves you and creates appreciation, then buy it. Start collecting from appreciation or even from financial considerations.

It’s a way to enrich humanity’s cultural heritage and a bold impact on our local artists futures.

Where can readers go see more of you ?

Tuesdays to Saturdays from 10 am to 6 pm, you will find me with my team at Rangi Gallery, welcoming the visitors that come through our doors.

RANGI is located at House No.530, Block 61, Makangira Street, Msasani Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Opposite CCBRT Pedestrian Gate no.1

This is where we decided to widen our footprint by setting up a physical space to complement its growing audience and virtual awareness. If you are outside Dar es salaam then feel free to browse through our website

We aim to create an interactive platform that brings together both local artists and local and international art enthusiasts; going beyond just selling and buying, to talent management and cultivating an active community that can share, appreciate, educate, and inspire one another.

Thank you for stopping by the blog , you can view more of Lorna’s work through her business instagram page and website .

Cheers .

HOMELY with Lorna - Founder of Rangi Gallery

Can you tell us a little about your aspirations and what brought you to start an Art Gallery ?