The
exhibition “Processes” opened 9 December 2012 at Shazula Cultural Forum. Shazula,
owned and managed by artist Peter Gustavus and his wife Namo, offers
acculturation courses and promotes cultural tourism. The exhibition successfully
inaugurated the use of the facility as an art gallery.
The multi-cultural
character of Shazula is reflected in the nationalities and backgrounds of the
participating artists. Peter himself originates from Germany, so does Rosa
Theresa Harter; Patrick and Esnart Mweemba are Zambians of the Southern
Province; Bert Witkamp was born in the Netherlands and Barbara Lechner-Chileshe
is Austrian.
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| Andrew Mulenga, art journalist of The Post, officiating at the opening of the exhibition. |
The
work on display, united by the common theme “processes,” also shows a
considerable variety. Patrick Mweemba shows prints about printmaking, Peter Gustavus
has on display what could be called vivid narrative imagery, Bert Witkamp shows
older figurative oil paintings and recent geometric design on pattern generation; Esnart Han’goma Mweembe
shows figurative graphic art and a mixed media painting, and Barbara Lechner
displays both narrative and non-figurative imagery. A pleasant outcome of this
diversity is that visitors will always find something of their liking and
something they dislike, adding interest to the visit and giving them something
to talk about.
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| Photo 2. Seeds of Thought by Peter Gustavus |
Discussion
of matters of public interest is one of Peter’s predilections – he believes
that exhibitions have missions. That believe is physically demonstrated by his “Seeds
of Thought” – a collection of stimulating or provoking statements written on
the pods of the flamboyant.
Barbara
manages and supports Malaikha, a school for handicapped children. The work of one of her deaf
pupils, Orment, is on display showing the discovery of image making by a novice. Barbara
also did most of the work of getting a very nice and informative catalog published.
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| Photo 3. Opening of the exhibition. |
The opening itself was a pleasant and amiable affair; not only were the pictures good, so was the food, the drinks and the company. And last but not least, with some surprisingly good sales!
Shazula,
to my knowledge, is the third Art Gallery of Southern Province. The Choma
Museum Art Gallery is the oldest (established in 1993). Agnes and Lawrence Yombwe run a fine
gallery named Wayi Wayi in Livingstone. Shazula, located off road between Monze
and Mazabuka, is the latest. It is worth a visit!
