“Kumbatia”
Kumbatia is an exploration and heartfelt ode to nature, inviting us to embrace the transformative qualities of water and connect deeply with our surroundings. This exhibition celebrates the fluidity, nurturing essence, and life-giving of nature—symbolizing not just physical nourishment but also emotional and spiritual connection.
Research shows that the negative ions found in ocean air can uplift spirits, enhance concentration, and alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression, reminding us of our intrinsic bond with the earth. The coastline—an ever-shifting boundary between land and ocean—serves as a metaphor for our interconnectedness.
However, climate change profoundly impacts coastal communities worldwide, with sea levels rising 0.13 inches annually. By 2050, Tanzania's sea levels could rise 0.5 to 1.4 feet, threatening land, farming traditions, and cultural heritage.
Through Barlinckhoff’s photographic mixed-media installation, Kumbatia explores the tension between nature and culture, showing how our lives are closely connected to the earth. The Swahili term "kumbatia," meaning "to embrace," embodies the spirit of this work, encouraging us to cherish the bonds we share with our environment and each other.
Welcome to Kumbatia—an ode to water, nature, and our interconnectedness.
Kumbatia Paper — Anne Barlinckhoff at kizikula, Zanzibar, Tanzania, 2023-2024
Design by Colour Format. Video by Tegen Kimbley.
More works are coming soon. For now, you’re warmly invited to join us for the opening on November 15th—during the full moon—at kizikula on Unguja / Zanzibar, Tanzania, to celebrate Kumbatia.
Kumbatia x marinecultures
With each purchase, 1% of sales will be donated to marinecultures.org—a nonprofit dedicated to restoring coral reefs and supporting sustainable livelihoods in Zanzibar. Through small-scale, eco-friendly aquaculture projects, the organization collaborates with local communities and experts to protect marine ecosystems, combat the effects of climate change, and strengthen coastal resilience.