10 Years on the Internet!                                           2,500+ Paintings Sold!                                           80 Artists Represented, and Growing!

                                                 

About me

I have been in and out of East Africa since 1989. I first went there to visit my girlfriend who was working for an NGO (Non-Government Organization), and then returned to work in Africa myself. Working in the telecommunications field for a British company for a couple years, I then started working for humanitarian relief agencies like IRC (International Rescue Committee). 

With IRC I was posted to Bardera, Somalia, as the administrator - and then just after the genocide in Rwanda I was promoted to Team Leader and transferred to Cyangugu, in the southwest of Rwanda on the Zaire and Burundi borders. 

Recently I ended a 16 month contract with VSF-Belgium (Veterinaires Sans Frontiers, or Vets Without Borders), where I was based in Nairobi, and traveled to Lokichoggio in northern Kenya, and south Sudan, in the position of Logistic Program Coordinator. 

I have now worked in three war zones. In all of the places that I worked and traveled I always inquired as to the local art; no matter how dire the circumstances, there were people that would seek me out to show their wares. I am constantly amazed at how creativity and imagination cannot be suppressed even in the context of war, and man's inhumanity towards their brothers.

	My flat in Nairobi, Kenya. Obviously, I'm a big fan of African art! My friends come over just to see what spectacles I have collected recently. You can see most of these works in the pages of this website. There is no problem bringing African art home with you.
	In Rwanda when I was working for IRC (International Rescue Committee) soon after the genocide. Behind me is the south end of Lake Kivu and across that bridge is (was) Zaire - now the DRC. I look a bit rough, but it was rough there at the time. Side arms were optional.
	Signing a book in which I did the illustrations: The original cover, left, looks different than it does now. I think it's in its third printing. The new cover features my illustrations. If you would like to see the books that I've illustrated, and even order them, click the on the book at right:
	My pregnant wife! Me and my nephew Sam staring at her ever-increasing belly!
	The result! And now at 20 months! Two years eight months - you DO NOT want to mess with this kid!

To learn more about Zahir Safdarali and the Unik Gallery, please see the Nairobi/USA Page.

If you are interested in Africa, African names, and the African culture, then take a look at some of the wonderful books written by Julia Stewart and illustrated by Todd Schaffer, in the Recommended Books Page.

I hope you enjoy the website! If you have any comments or suggestions please use the Feedback Page, or feel free to contact me personally using the information below.