Malawian artists could rise to greater heights of success and recognition if they got organised and embraced the concept of togetherness, according to award winning visual artist Elson Kambalu.
The artist expressed the sentiments on arrival at Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) from China where he had gone on a skill enhancement tour following his recognition as an awardee of 2015 MBC’s Innovations Awards.
“The tour has been an eye-opener to me and I have learnt far much more than what I had expected,” said Kambalu. “But most importantly, I have admired how our Chinese artist colleagues are organised and how they embrace a culture of togetherness.”
He argued that Malawian artists could rise to unimaginable heights if they emulated and applied the same gesture.
The visual artist has also challenged government to consider emulating its Chinese counterpart’s strategy of incorporating art and sport as a compulsory subject in primary schools saying it helps build one’s skill from a tender age.
“Students have their skills well established by the time they get to high school in China because of the same strategy,” explains the arts awardee, who also runs La Galleria in Lilongwe.
He has since challenged fellow youths to have an inner search of the self and stick to what they discover as their dream, citing himself as an example of one who stuck to what he knew best and is now reaping the rewards.
