Chikadza breaking through with sculpturing

There is more that anchors the relevance of sculpting in the world and Malawi is not left behind. Several sculptures have added beauty to our local landscape and are part of memorable places in the country.

That is what drew 36-year-old Kondwani Chikadza, a Blantyre dweller, to the art.

Even though the market itself is very small, he accepts that there is talent in abundance.

“Malawi has a lot of talent, but the people do not appreciate the talent in visual arts. We struggle to produce the materials, but what we get by the end of the day is not what we deserve,” says Chikadza.

The artist, who has been drawing and painting, recently graduated to sculpting.

He says there are many painters at the moment and he wants to concentrate in an area with fewer artists.

Although he has never stepped in the corridors of an art school, Chikadza boasts that he is a good sculptor that with support from government and well-wishers he can make it to the international market.

His first two sculptures—one of Malawi President Joyce Banda and the other of former president the late Bingu wa Mutharika testify to his talent.

What is astonishing about the sculpture is how he produced various colours without use of paint. You look at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) badge, shoe, hair, and neck-tie and how he produced an ironed black suit and front square shoe liked most by the deceased president.

While the whole world is talking about being environmentally friendly, Chikadza conforms unknowingly. There is no use of wood in his sculptures but soil, plastic and wires.

“It is a new dimension of my career and I want to make a difference. My sculptures are very durable and can be exported,” he says, adding that this is the only way to go for artists to survive since other raw materials are expensive.

However, Chikadza who is married with three children laments that what he earns does not match the efforts applied.

The Mutharika sculpture is going at K8 000 (about $20), but Chikadza says it took him two weeks to produce .

“We charge just to ensure we sell, but not getting paid for the effort,” he adds.

Chikadza dreams big. He says his eyes are on producing big sculptures of prominent people to be mounted at public offices for remembrance. He is considering people who are regarded the country’s heroes.