Renowned visual artist Elson Kambalu, who is the proprietor of La Galleria Art Gallery in Lilongwe, has elevated the country’s flag, exhibiting his works in Tanzania at the African Heads of State Human Capital Development summit in Dares Salaam.
The summit, which started on Monday and has seen President Lazarus Chakwera and the First Lady Monica Chakwera in attendance, ended Wednesday.
Kambalu, who has exhibited his works in different platforms outside the country, said yesterday that he was commissioned by the World Bank Group (Washington) and Nafasi Arts Centre to take part in a group art exhibition and also conduct an interactive arts session with the delegates during the summit.
“It was not only my works as I also took along with me works by fellow Malawian visual artists and they include Madalitso Ziwaoh and Andrew Missi. I also went ahead to bring work of two Congolese artists from Dzaleka Refugee Camp, Francois Bangwe and Aksanti Murhebwa,” Kambalu said.
He said World Bank engaged him, having seen his interactive arts sessions.
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“I have a concept called the Elson Kambalu Interactive Art Board which I use as a tool for engagement with organisations; that is, using art to get down to solutions of some of the challenges that different communities encounter,” the visual artist, who is also a filmmaker, said.
He said he was using art as a medium for social change, specifically employing it as a tool that enables performers to become self-aware.
“Art is a catalyst for self-reflection thereby igniting conversation and I am happy to be using art to bring about change,” Kambalu said.
The artist, who is expected to return home on July 31 2023, then hailed World Bank for recognising him to be part of the huge stage and that he was hoping to work with many organisations.
