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It seems Malawians have an unfortunate tradition of taking time to appreciate good things, more so when they are produced locally. This is why our baskets — not the traditionally woven — are full of imported things every time we go shopping.
This crave for foreign things is also evident in the way we appreciate various forms of culture — dances, music, art and dressing. For example, Malawians will rather be associated with rap, hip hop, kwasakwasa than chopa, manganje or beni.
It is only recently that local musicians started enjoying the fruits of their sweat. Previously, people would not buy local music, not because of quality but locality. It just originated from a wrong place — Malawi.
While local musicians are having a good time, all is not well with other forms of art, like painting.
A survey by Nation Online to various outlets like La Carvena, Central Africana and the curios market in Blantyre, show that the major customers for local paintings are foreigners — expatriates and tourists — and local corporate groups.
According to cultural coordinator for the French Cultural Centre (FCC) Castro Nkunda, it seems the problem with Malawians is not income but lack of appreciation for art.
Nkunda, whose institution has promoted Malawi’s culture through art exhibitions — by providing free space — hosting drama, music, traditional dance shows and sponsoring trips to France for artists, said the development is worrisome.
“The exhibitions are mostly patronised by foreigners and yet this could have been a chance for Malawians to appreciate what their brothers and sisters are doing. Even if you go in most Malawian homes, the only paintings you will find are foreign which do not make much sense to them,” said Nkunda.
His observation was echoed by Chancellor College lecturer in fine art Louis Dimowa, painter Aaron Banda and painter and cartoonist Brian Hara.
The arts lecturer argued that the country is blessed with talented and creative artists but they are not supported.
“Even here at college, students who like to pursue fine arts are let down by lack of materials. For them to be serious artists, they need to be well exposed but this cannot happen where materials are not available,” bemoaned Dimowa.
He said it is high time policy makers sat down and matched their words with action in their quest to promote arts.
“Government has to provide funds for the college. Again we need funds for construction of galleries where artists can exhibit their pieces. Materials are there in the shops, but most artists cannot afford them,” said Dimowa who has exhibited at both local and international levels.
On his part Hara, popular for his Zabweka and Pewani cartoons, said the removal of arts from the country’s curriculum has not helped matters. He thinks if children were exposed to arts at primary school, not only would they be serious artists but they would develop an interest in it and increase the local market base for arts, in general and paintings, in particular.
Hara, who paints in watercolour, said he learnt the art of painting as a child in Zambia where children had access to free art clubs.
“Government has to ensure that art is encouraged in schools. We have a lot of talent in the country but it is not tapped,” he said in an interview from La Caverna where he has his pieces on exhibition.
He said whites appreciate art because they are exposed to it from tender ages.
“Parents buy their children gifts in form of art works and they grow with them so it is not difficult for them to appreciate them. We need to do the same here,” said Hara.
Another artist who has his works at La Caverna, situated at Old Mandala Building in Blantyre, is Banda. As a full time artist, Banda thinks the situation is better now.
“There are a lot of artists but I think we don’t have enough local outlets. Some time ago, the government provided money to open a national gallery in Lilongwe but it is no longer working. That was good because it was easily accessed by top government guests,” said Banda who does his pieces in acrylic.
He agreed that the problem with Malawians not supporting local painters is not income, arguing that most locals are in top management positions today than it was in the past.
“Most people are staying in houses which would have looked more beautiful with these paintings but they are just not interested,” said Banda.
Asked on the prospects for the industry, Banda said it is promising, arguing that most artists on the market today are not necessarily products of schools of art but only have talent. And true to his word, the majority of names on most art pieces in the country’s major galleries have never gone through any formal training.
“What is needed is exposure for these artists. Unfortunately, this is a problem these days. We used to have a lot of exhibitions but no longer the case, It is even worse when it comes to international exposure, there are few openings,” he said.
Owner for La Caverna and another gallery — La Galleria in Lilongwe, Lois Lossacco, said she plans to expand the market by linking with some gallery owners overseas so that Malawian artists have enough exposure.
“We once tried it where we bought the pieces here and auctioned them outside for an HIV/Aids project and it worked well. We are looking at a number of countries but we are still discussing it,” she said in an interview Thursday.
She said although it would have been better to have other galleries in Mzuzu and Zomba, there are no immediate plans to do this. She did not explain why.
“Apart from stocking and selling paintings, La Caverna has a wide range of hand painted textiles, finely crafted wooden sculptures and handmade paper products. The galleries have also become a meeting point for aspiring artists and a melting pot for new ideas,” said Loccasso.
Most artist said selling their pieces through galleries like La Caverna and others is helpful because it saves time and labour.
“The prices are good and you are just told while at home that your piece has been bought,” said one artist, adding it would be better if the country had more galleries.
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