Visual artists in live painting project
A new art atmosphere and experience is expected to engulf one of Blantyre’s famous art galleries KwaHaraba when it hosts its first-ever live painting session.
The unique showdown has attracted three renowned visual artists, Madalitso Ziwaoh, Evelyn Chisambiro and Charles Levison. The maiden session is slated for December 11.
The event is expected to add excitement among visual art enthusiasts, who will have the chance to see visual creators develop images from plain canvas until they turn to beautiful and communicating images.
Ziwaoh, who is among the curators of the event, said people are used to art exhibitions where they bring finished products and have them on display. But he said the response which they had when they staged a mini-live painting session during their recent exhibition has given them different ideas.
“We experimented with the idea during the William Kamkwamba windmill innovation exhibition celebrations. People received the live painting very well and we believe it is an idea we can explore further.
“Some people are eager to see a live painting and have an end-product of an artwork they saw being developed,” he said.
The decorated artist said the speed and demands to complete the tasks in good time will also add to the thrill as they will have no time to rest as they do when they are in their art studios.
On her part, Chisambiro, who will be participating in her first-ever live painting session, said she will develop the abstract pieces that she has been conceptualising of late. She said given time, she wants to deliver at least two of those abstract pieces.
“Painting live is different as it is time-sensitive and you need to be sure from the start about what you are working on. Having people watching you as you work is also exciting for the audience to see the process until the final product.”
KwaHaraba Art Gallery coordinator Thoko Liwimbi said as an all-encompassing art institution, they aim at creating a home for all forms of art.
“Live painting involves all elements of art that is audience involvement, dialogue and actual painting. This concept fits perfectly with our idea of being the home of all forms of art expression. We are glad for the choice they made to make us host this event,” she said.
The live session will be spiced up with a delivery of an acoustic music performance by local guitar wizard Agorosso.
