Luwanda decries lack of art appreciation

Visual artist Chimwemwe Luwanda last week held his first exhibition at Lotus Hotel in Namiwawa, Blantyre. The exhibition lived up to its expectation. But although Luwanda sold several paintings, he is still left with one huge regret as he has never sold any paintings to a Malawian, save for some commissioned work. Our Staff Reporter BRIAN ITAI caught up with Luwanda who opened up on a number of issues surrounding his craft. Excerpts:

Q

: How did you find yourself as a visual artist?

A

: I started drawing as a little boy. I cannot really recall exactly when. I joined Jacaranda School while 10 years old and art was one of the subjects that we were learning. With time, I used to take some of my drawings to the school directors and they encouraged me. I kept perfecting my craft. But when I got in Standard Eight my mother ordered me to stop purportedly that I was messing up my notebooks. It was while in secondary school that I started buying my own drawing materials and I revived my passion. And here I am.

Q

: How old are you?

A

: I am 23 years old.

Q: How many years have you been practising visual arts as a business?

A

: I have been in the trade for four years and I have co-founded a company Clechi Murals with my colleague Clement. I have done 3D paintings, abstract and portraits.

Q

: What do you do as a company?

A

: Our area of focus is on murals, the kind of paintings and images that we do on the walls. We have done a number of such works across the country.

Q

: How far spread is your work as a visual artist?

A

: The work has reached many places. Beyond Malawi, our work has gone as far as Germany, United States of America and other countries too.

Q

: Last week you hosted your first solo exhibition in Blantyre. Tell us about that experience?

A

: It was really great. I never expected I would have the kind of turn-up that did. The number of pieces that I sold was also been very impressive. But what is disappointing is that none of the paintings was bought by a Malawian. In fact, I have never sold any painting in Malawi. I am not happy that all my work is sold abroad and not in my own country. That just shows that people are not supporting the art in Malawi. There has been talk about mindset change, but people don’t want to be the change they want to see.

Q

: So you say you have never sold your paintings locally?

A

: Yes! Although I have done some commissioned work several times. I have never sold in Malawi.

Q

: Why is this the case?

A: I am not really sure. Maybe it is the prices, which are not as high too in my view. It is just that people maybe do not value arts.

Q

: What is the price range of most of your paintings?

A

: Most of them range from K70 000 to K500 000.

Q

: What do you think needs to be done for people to start appreciating this kind of craft?

A

: It all starts when you see and appreciate the value in something. When you see the value that is when you can buy something. People should also start participating in the exhibitions that is when they can see how the art is speaking to them. When buying a piece of art, you don’t buy the piece itself but the story behind it. You buy because of the why and not what. It is the story behind the painting and not the painting. During art exhibitions that is where you get to know the stories behind the paintings.

Q

: What can you say to your fellow visual artists?

A

: Malawi still needs them. There is still a long way to go. We still have to keep on doing this and we will keep on doing.

Q

: What is your plan as an artist?

A

: I am looking at a bigger picture how we can make art to be appreciated in Malawi. One of the things is through having my own art gallery and hosting of big art fares.n