It may have been said multiple times already, but I will repeat it as a pillar of creative guidance; Malawian visual artists must embrace their unique voice and perspective to the fullest. While technical skill is essential, it's not enough to simply recreate characters from existing works. The art world is craving something more – your authentic expression.
This is coming after I stumbled upon a tweet by Kyle Malanda, where her exact words were,”the one piece of advice I can give Malawian visual artists is; Your portfolio shouldn’t just be recreations of characters from other people’s work.’’ All in all she was right. She further wrote that collectors, funders and institutions are not impressed by how well one can redraw existing pieces, such as Dragon Ball Z, rather they seek to discover one’s distinctive voice story and vision. Many talented Malawian artists, unfortunately, have fallen into the trap of reproducing or sampling others' work, rather than showcasing their original creations.
This trend of showcasing talent on ‘existing art’ is limiting and killing the growth of Malawi's art scene. We’re not contributing to the global art narrative. This whole thing, for example, is like merely regurgitating what's already been said or done. It is time to take action, break free from the cycle of replication and start producing one’s own work from the start. There will always be people like mentors, managers and guides to help shape it up. Moreover there is talent already so it wouldn’t be that difficult. Sometimes a technique, no matter how polished it can be, cannot compensate for the lack of originality.
When people look at one’s work, they want to see the personality, the experiences, and the creative essence shining through and speaking for you. People want to, for instance, be moved emotionally by your unique perspective, to be challenged by your ideas and to be inspired by your vision. Embrace your uniqueness and let your art be a reflection of who you are. One either draws from his or her culture, traditional background or personal experiences. Let your art be a window into your world, and by doing so, you'll not only stand out in a crowded art market but also contribute to the rich tapestry of Malawian art.
Most artists recreate existing art. As far as it is not a bad thing but it is limiting the growth of the Malawian Art scene. Artists are urged to start from the scratch, let their voice be heard as it matters.
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