Alinafe Mumba, the second artist in our Zambia-based artist-in-residence cohort at the Lusaka Contemporary Art Centre, shared his Artistic Practice on Friday, November 15, 2024. His residency, which ran from November 1 to November 14, 2024, showcased his exploration of the everyday life of the typical citizen and reflecting everyday contemplations of individual experiences.
Mumba is a twenty-two-year-old artist from Lusaka, Zambia. Who finds ways to give an accurate depiction of life in his work and in-your-face stories that challenge perception, oppression and stereotypes about African culture and culture in general. He loves to work with materials and media that suit what he wants to do.
He believes “Art is a story that moves and keeps moving. It can be the story that led to the creation of an art piece, or the story the art piece is trying to tell. At the very end, it keeps moving. So, you are either moved or left behind – or left to tie your own story to it.”
Through his art and art practice, he hopes to tell a story that keeps moving, one that offers value to the viewer and allows the key space to tie their own story or make their own story. He understands that for a story to come together, the pieces or players in it, through flow and fluidity, are placed in different positions in order to come to a certain conclusion. Pieces in a story are made up of different shapes, sizes or texture, but altogether they do their part in conveying the message of the story. Through this particular thought process, he does not limit himself to particular media or material because he believes that a story has a little bit of everything.
Ode to the working woman : a symbol of strength and resilience
Where our lives merge : places and objects that allow us to connect beyond the reason why we find ourselves in that present moment
Passing moments : moments we are quick to forget but are a part of our personal journey of enlightenment and connectedness in relation to our surroundings and people
Our space : familiar spaces and things that relieve us from the realities of everyday life.
When I’m left alone : moments of rest, the story of how our everyday interactions and relationships have us feeling and also what effect they have on our physical being
