By
Andrew Mulenga
2014
turned out to be one of the most eventful years on the Zambian art scene
particularly because it was plagued by the deaths of artists young and old.
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| Baba Jakeh Chande died aged 42 in Helsinki, Finland |
It
saw the passing of Finland-based conceptual artist and sculptor Baba Jakeh
Chande who died in March aged 42 after being diagnosed with a cancerous growth
on the liver in a Helsinki hospital, this was followed by the death of one of
his mentors and founder of Rockston Studio Lutanda Mwamba who succumbed to
meningitis and Malaria at the age of 48 in Lusaka barely two months later.
Death
struck again just about two months later, claiming the sculptor Nobbie
Tsokalida of Desai compound in Lusaka at the age of 70. Tsokalida is remembered
for his sculptures in the lands highest courts.
October
however would be perhaps the hardest hitting with the deaths of Ignatius Sampa,
one of the country’s most promising young painters was killed by a hit and run
vehicle in Lusaka in the early hours of Saturday 1
November, he was 23 years old and in an unrelated incidence, Canadian artist
Wendy Dobereiner was found dead in an apparent suicide at her Lusaka residence
on Sunday, she was 62.
 |
|
Lutanda Mwamba died aged 48 after
succumbing to malaria and
meningitis
|
The
two disturbing deaths evoked deep reflection on the sheer futility of life. The
first of a young man with incredible promise the second of an extrovert, jovial
and full of life, the last person one could expect would be responsible for
taking their own life.
All
these artists made significant contributions to the Zambian art scene which
will remember for posterity.
Nevertheless,
2014 was not all gloom and doom, it did not pass without encouraging high
points such as a few artists gaining global mileage particularly Lawrence
Chikwa and Stary Mwaba showing in a prestigious exhibition and attending a residency
in Germany respectfully.
On
the local front young artists like Ngandu Mwaba and Caleb Chisha were brave enough
to test choppy waters and hold their first solo exhibitions in Lusaka.
September
brought the graduation of the first BA Fine arts students on Zambian soil by
the Zambia Open University, a month later the year saw the opening of the
Livingstone Art Gallery as part of the country’s Independence Day jubilee.
Generally,
2014 was vibrant with consistent shows at Alliance Francaise, 37d Gallery,
Zebra Crossing Cafe, the Lusaka National Museum, the Livingston Art Gallery and
the Henry Tayali Gallery in Lusaka.
 | |||
| Nobbie Tsokalida passed away at 70 in Lusaka |
 |
|
Igntaius Sampa was knocked down by a hit
and run vehicle and
died at the age of 23
|
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