Art in Malawi

Artists in Malawi

Art in Malawi

Malawian artists have traditionally preferred the three-dimensional world of sculpture to painting and drawing.

Elaborately carved wood and stone sculptures are a traditional art form in Malawi.

Malawian art often depicts people, animals, everyday village life and dances, and can be found everywhere from the oldest rock paintings to traditional wood carvings.

In recent years, there has also been a growing appreciation of painting as well as digital art, especially among young people.

Of note are the rock paintings found in the Chongoni Rock Art Area in central Malawi.

This area has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List as having the highest concentration of rock paintings in Central Africa.

The red paintings by the Akafula depict scenes of hunting, while the white paintings depict scenes of peaceful farming by the Chewa who later settled in the area.

Masks are also a common type of artwork typically associated with festivals and ceremonies.

Making masks from bronze, wood, feathers and other objects has been a traditional practice in Nyau society for centuries.

A typical Nyau mask features an elongated face and a beard made of cloth, leather or human hair.

Artists in Malawi

Simon Banda II – Digital Painting Artist

Interview with Simon Banda II - Digital Painting Artist in MalawiInterview with Simon Banda II Simon Banda II - Digital Painting Art...

Amabel Lisa Banda – Visual Artist

Interview with Amabel Lisa Banda - Visual Artist in MalawiInterview with Amabel Lisa Banda Amabel Lisa Banda Age 26 ...

Robert Wadarwa – Stone Sculptor

Interview with Robert Wadarwa - Stone SculptorInterview with Robert Wadarwa Robert Wadrwa - Stone Sculptor ...

Gift Mbamba – Wood Sculptor

Interview with Gift Mbamba - Wood Sculptor in MalawiInterview with Gift Mbamba Gift Mbamba - Wood Sculptor Age ...

Taona Makunje Chigwenember – Visual Artist

Interview with Taona Makunje Chigwenembe - Visual Artist in MalawiInterview with Taona Makunje Chigwenembe Taona Makunje Chigwenembe ...

Tikhala Wasi – Sketch Artist

Interview with Mable Tikhala Wasi - Sketch Artist in MalawiInterview with Mable Tikhala Wasi Mable Tikhala Wasi - Sketch Artis...

Angali Chagwamnjira – Poet

Interview with Angali Chagwamnjira - Poet in MalawiInterview with Angali Chagwamnjira Angali Chagwamnjira - Poet ...

Phindu Zaie Banda – Poet

Interview with Phindu Zaie Banda - Poet in MalawiInterview with Phindu Zaie Banda Phindu Zaie Banda - Poet Ag...

Marumbo Sichinga – Poet

Interview with Marumbo Sichinga - Poet in MalawiInterview with Marumbo Sichinga Marumbo Sichinga - Poet Age ...

Chisomo Lifa – Visual Artist

Interview with Chisomo Lifa - Visual Artist in MalawiInterview with Chisomo Lifa Chisomo Lifa - Visual Artist Age...

Betty Nyirenda – Visual Artist

Interview with Betty Nyirenda - Visual Artist in MalawiInterview with Betty Nyirenda Betty Nyirenda - Visual Artist ...

Chris T.E Tauro – Visual Artist

Interview with Chris T.E Taulo - Visual Artist in MalawiInterview with Chris T.E Tauro Chris T.E Tauro - Visual Artist ...

Annie Likambale – Special Effects Make-up Artist

Interview with Annie Likambale - Special Effects Make-up Artist in MalawiInterview with Annie Likambale Annie Likambale - Special Effects Ma...

Kate Chabwera – Special Effects Make-up Artist

Interview with Kate Chabwera - Special Effects Make-up Artist in MalawiInterview with Kate Chabwera Kate Chabwera - Special Effects Make-u...

Razia Akimu – Special Effects Make-up Artist

Interview with Razia Akimu - Special Effects Make-up Artist in MalawiInterview with Razia Akimu Razia Akimu - Special Effects Make-up Ar...