By
Andrew Mulenga
In case
you have not been to see Due to Popular
Demand, the ongoing two-man exhibition by visual arts luminaries Lawrence
Yombwe of Livingstone and Adam Mwansa of Luanshya at the Zebra Crossings Café, Ababa
House, Lusaka, the display is still on until 3 June.
Morning light 1, Acrylic on canvas 48Cm X 40Cm |
Of
course the two need no introduction for followers of the Zambian art scene, but
the Luanshya-based pen and ink virtuoso Mwansa has been a bit of a rarity on
the Lusaka Art scene and it is safe to say that this is perhaps the first time
he has had so much work in a single show. What is exciting about his latest
body of work is that, instead of his trademark black and white pen and ink
drawings, he has outdone himself, surprised his collectors and churned out a
whole array of delicate watercolours and vivid abstract acrylic on canvas
paintings.
“Truly I
enjoy working in pen and ink, but as it is evident in this exhibition I am
quite confident working with any other medium and coming up with good results
just as with pen and ink. Apart from realistic themes I sometimes venture into
semi-abstract and abstract themes,” explains the 55 year old “I can work with
most drawing media and many painting media, my display also includes
printmaking, handmade ceramics and modelled sculpture. The surprise this year
was just to announce to those who only know me as a pen and ink artist that I
am actually a whole round artist who can appreciate and work with any media
using any technique and style.”
The shore of lake Kariba, Watercolour on paper 17Cm X 42Cm |
He
explains that for him a seamless shift between a realistic and an abstract
style is very possible because he understands the principles and applications
for both. It is something he learned in college and through the numerous
workshops he has attended
“But I
constantly learn something new each time I attend an exhibition or see any new
art style. Ideas learned through observation are vital when it comes to
switching between art forms or techniques. The art teaching career is another
factor that has made it easy for me to manage this shift, because it exposed me
to the learning and understanding of various ways of making art. This knowledge
is essential when presenting art lessons and coaching students,” adds the
former school teacher who taught art for in Botswana government schools for 10
years, only returning to settle in his home town Luanshya in 2006.
Ukweela, Pen drawing on paper 42Cm X 29Cm |
Although
returned to Luanshya, he complains that the small mining town has no art
activity. He attributes this to the observation that there are not many
practicing artists in the small mining town and that those who make art work in
isolation, concentrating mostly on outdoor signage where they are assured of
income for every piece they produce. Additionally, it is also difficult to sell
art because there are very few that appreciate it, most people find it unreasonably
expensive. He explains however, that the larger cities on the Copper belt are
slightly more active.
“But
looking at Ndola and Kitwe, one would say that the visual arts have made a mark
in these two towns. Ndola can boast of the colourful roadside Twapya Art and
Craft market, where apart from just enjoying viewing the art works one is
afforded a chance to speak with the artists and crafts people at work. The art
outlet right in the central part of Kitwe is at Chisokone market, this is
another place where art sales flourish, and various arts and crafts are on
display. I really get inspired each time I visit these two places,” he adds.
Despite
humble beginnings, like many artists, Mwansa’s talent has presented him the
chance to see the world, in 1993 he took up a studio residency at the Wimbledon
School of Art, London, England and a year later he studied graphic design at
The Hague in the Netherlands.
Babatoni, Pen drawing on paper 42Cm X 29Cm |
“My
journey in art began at Luwingu Secondary School in the Northern Province in
1978. When I won a calendar prize through the art competition, organised by
Anglo-American Corporation. Since that time I realised that I was an artist.
Later I took up the Art Teacher’s training at Evelyn Hone College from 1984 to
1986 and I have been practicing as an artist and a teacher of art, though at
the moment I just do part time teaching,” he explains.
He reveals
that he has been influenced by many artists over the years and he still gets
inspired by artists young and old.
“To
mention a few among those who influenced me when I was beginning I would
proudly pick the following names from the Zambian scene, Gabriel Ellison, Cynthia Zukas, Henry Tayali,
my classmate and friend Godfrey Setti and Shadreck Simukanga. From the group of
the old masters I could mention, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Vincent van Gogh and
Claude Monet,” he adds.
Inkampa, Pen drawing on paper 29Cm X 42Cm |
Among
the younger crop of artists he holds Aubrey Chali, Mulenga, David Makala,
Gladys Kalichini, Mapopa Manda, Owen Shikabeta, Chifuchi Kandala and Kingsley
Kapobe in high esteem, and believes they have great potential although he does
have reservation of artists jumping on the abstract art band wagon just to
appear trendy.
“I think
it is important for every artist to fully learn and understand the approaches
of drawing and creating realistic art (representational images) before moving
into abstraction or the creation of non-representational images. This is so
because the understanding of realistic art concepts broadens the understanding
of general art concepts and abstract art has a base in realistic art. I would
therefore urge the youngster artists to get enough knowledge and practice about
realistic art before going into abstraction,” he explains.
He adds
that the apparent boom in creativity among Zambian visual artists this year is
because of the realisation of the entrepreneurial possibilities that art
offers.
Luanshya-based Adam Mwansa has pulled a surprise |
“In my
opinion the boom on the Zambian art scene, can also be attributed to the fact
that since the inception of the ministry’s
direct responsible with the arts and culture (Ministry of Tourism Arts and
Culture) artists have felt duty bound and have seriously taken it upon themselves
to register their presence with the Government. For many it is no longer art
for its own sake but a source of livelihood. Everyone is working hard; the
upcoming artists are pushing for recognition while the known artists want to
maintain their status and possibly move to another level,” he says.
He
describes the ongoing show at Ababa House as a success and says it is not easy
to put up an art exhibition with so many art works.