Mwamba Chikwemba is a female visual artist based in Lusaka, Zambia. In 2010 she completed high school and in 2012 she graduated with a certificate in information communication technology. In 2014 she graduated with a diploma in public administration at The National Institute of Public Administration.

 

Artist Statement

“My painting style and technique is self-taught. I have a tendency to work on a rather large format, incorporating the use of contrast and good composition.

The subject matter in itself emphasizes pride, confidence, beauty and in this case usually young women, the subject being more often than not, women’s smiling faces. The colours, head wraps speak to the vibrating power of the female soul and eyes share the same hardship of being a woman today in a society dominated by men.

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Therefore, the interpretation on the whole is kind of an abstraction; rather than a realistic one, of the young woman’s position in society. When done it often creates a rather bold, energetic and dramatic image.

I started out painting portraits of women from the Internet I have since moved onto doing more personal work, focusing on creating portraits of people I know. I use my neighbours, relatives and friends to create more personal works with a deeper message.

I constantly challenge myself in my painting and while I feel confident in the style that I now work in, I will keep introducing new ways and techniques of pushing this style forward and developing it even further.”