A longest art exhibition will walk its course later this month in Lilongwe led by renowned visual artist Elson Kambalu.
The exhibition dubbed ‘Towards Malawi’s Best’ starts on June 26 through to November 30, 2026.
Kambalu, who is also a filmmaker, said Thursday that they were simultaneously opening a new space to be called Art House Studios which will comprise Galleria Africa, Information Centre and Framing Studio at Wenela in Area 4.
“The drive has been inspired by lack of accessible venues for the arts. With only one major exhibition per year and a few personal ones, Lilongwe is famished,” he said.
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Kambalu said the idea is for artists to come in and go out, bringing along with them new art and ideas.
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“It is a place for experimentation.
We would also like to make it accessible unlike the past when such venues are in usually frequented by the elite.
Art must be accessed regardless of class, that is the concept,” he said.
Kambalu added:
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“We often limit artists by the reigning trends in so much that we block creativity. We want artists to surprise us.
We wish to encourage students’ visitations. They must book before visiting to allocate time”.
The visual artist, who has travelled extensively outside the country with art, said if they get a good sponsor, they might take part of the exhibition on tour around Malawi.
“We have earmarked specific schools. Students must see real art as most of them have no opportunity to reach some of these spaces where contemporary art is being showcased,” Kambalu said.
He said artists are required to reach out and register.
“So far we are staring with a crop of 20 artists operating in Malawi regardless of nationality.
Kambalu, who was recently in Germany under the Erasmus Project where he was assigned to teach and also attended a workshop, said they would want the platform to be an inclusive affair.
