Africa-Press – Zambia. Lilongwe-based visual artist Elson Kambalu, who is also proprietor of La Galleria Art Gallery, on Friday launched an exhibition titled The Rediscovery at The Chocolate Factory in Zomba District.
Kambalu has since described the exhibition, which has on display close to 25 paintings and drawings which were mostly developed during Covid period, as an exciting time for him having not held an exhibition for some time.
“The reception for the official launch was good with a considerable number of people. This is a very exciting time for me as this exhibition signals my return in rediscovering my art as I have been busy managing other artists,” Kambalu, who is also a filmmaker, said.
And true to this, Kambalu has been pushing other artists at La Galleria in Lilongwe, who have been holding exhibitions under different themes. He said he has set aside the next 10 years (2021 -2031) to explore himself and that this exhibition marks that beginning.
“I am trying to craft a new identity in the face of a crisis that turned most artists down. I am re-looking at issues of male ego versus escalating mental health crisis in the face of the pandemic, what it means not to give up,” Kambalu said.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and Wildlife Michael Usi admitted recently that the creative industry needed support having been affected by the pandemic.
Laura Schuerwegen from Zomba Arts Platform which is set to launch this coming Saturday has since urged people to patronise Kambalu’s exhibition which runs until July 2 2021.
