Subiri: Sole female visual artist at BAF
The 2015 edition of Blantyre Arts Festival (BAF) could be incomplete without mentioning that it exposed new talent.
New faces from the world of music, drama and visual arts were given a platform to display their art. One of such promising talents is 22-year-old Chifundo Subiri, who happened to be the sole determined female visual artist who exhibited and competed well with male giants such as Moment Chaweza.
When her turn came, Chifundo was determined with her artworks when explaining to Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia what it takes to create such artistic works.
The minister was delighted too to meet Chifundo whom she referred to as ‘amazing and resolute woman’ upon inspecting her work.
Most of Chifundo’s art works displayed during the festival were done in the medium of acrylic with cultural themes that bordered around traditional settings and impressions of village women.
Chifundo, who lives in Blantyre’s Chigumula Township, said she was privileged to exhibit at this year’s BAF as well as meeting the minister.
“This is one of the best moments in my career as a visual artist. I have interacted with different people including the minister and the media which I believe will expose my work to the world,” said the Form Four student at Chichiri Secondary School.
She said it was a great opportunity for her to exhibit alongside giant visual artists, saying growth stems from being challenged.
“I felt like a man too when I encountered those male artists. And their work was a source of motivation to work extra hard. I believe that if something does not challenge you then you have no reasons to pull up your socks,” said Chifundo.
Starting out as a cartoonist, Chifundo graduated into the mainstream painting and drawing two years ago. Her dream is to explore and work with art colouring.
