In the peaceful and green gardens of Four Seasons in Lilongwe, there were colours everywhere at the weekend.
As is the case, every May, art lovers walk from one painting to another admiring the creativity of local artists. Some stop to take photographs while others quietly appreciate the details of the art.
This was the scene at the biannual Art in the Park event where 46 painters showcased their work for three days.
The event, organised by Wildlife and Environmental Society of Malawi (Wesm), started on Friday and concluded on Sunday. Held twice a year, the event gives visual artists a platform to exhibit their paintings and make sell them while promoting Wesm’s environmental awareness efforts.
Walking through the garden, it was clear that Art in the Park is becoming more than just an exhibition.
It has become a celebration of creativity, a meeting point for artists and art lovers and where people can learn to appreciate Malawian visual art, something that artists would only dream about 10 years ago.
The paintings on display ranged from landscapes, cultural scenes and portraits to abstracts, each telling a different story.
One unique feature of this edition was the ‘Not for Sale’ gallery section. This area displayed art works collected by individuals who just wanted to share the beauty of their collections with the public. It allowed visitors to enjoy art without feeling the pressure to buy.
Wesm chairperson Nick Hall said one of the main goals of Art in the Park is to promote local art among Malawians.
“Over the years, we have seen more locals attending the event. We would like even more Malawians to come, support and appreciate the work of our artists,” he said.
Hall commended those that willingly displayed their collections, saying it is high time Malawian homes were filled with local art.
“We need more Malawians hanging Malawian art in their homes,” he said.
Visual artist Francis Kapanda, also known as Kind, was among the 46 painters exhibiting this year. He said he believes that events like Art in the Park help to change how Malawians view visual art.
“The ongoing nature of this event is to build art culture in the country. More people now recognise that big and serious events come from visual art. They are beginning to see that art is something to enjoy and celebrate,” he said.
Kapanda added that this shift in public attitude has also influenced the way artists see their work and are ready to produce quality pieces.
“Seeing that more people are open to appreciating art, it has challenged us to take a different approach. We now realise that our art can be treated as business and we can earn from it. It’s no longer just about talent, but also creating something that people want to buy,” he said.
Another painter, Jethro Longwe, shared the same view. He said the platform has become an important space for artists and that the demand for visual art in Malawi is growing.
“People are realising the value of art now more than ever,” he said.
But as the sector grows, Longwe said government and key partners must also step in to support and protect visual artists’ work from piracy.
“It is important that we have a proper legal environment, especially regarding copyright. In theory, we are protected. But on the ground, people reproduce our works with no consequences. This needs to change if we want the sector to grow,” he said.
Longwe also called for the establishment of a public art gallery in Malawi where artists can exhibit their work.
“We need a place where we can always display and sell our art. A public art gallery would give us that opportunity and help the market to grow,” he said.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Joyce Chitsulo, who officially opened the event, said government is committed to supporting visual artists.
She said the National Arts and Heritage Act includes a provision that requires developers of major projects such as hotels and luxury buildings to allocate one percent of their budget to visual art. This means they must buy or invest in local artwork as part of their projects.
“Arts can contribute significantly to the country’s economy. As government, we are committed to ensuring that visual artists are supported so that they can thrive,” said Chitsulo.
As Art in the Park expands and unearths talent, it is becoming more than just an art show. For the artists, it is a chance to be seen, heard and supported.
For art lovers, it has become a chance to appreciate creativity and take pride in what Malawian talent can produce.
Standard Bank plc, among other partners, supported the May edition which was strictly for painters. However, in November, the event will include other types of art such as crafts and metalwork.
