Between 4 and 6 pm on Saturday, October 16th The Watermill Center will be open for public viewing of the work of Stary Mwaba, 2010 Fall Artist in Residence from Zambia. On view will be an installation of paintings as part of a larger maze exploring the perceptions of Africa alongside Mwaba’s personal exploration of himself as an artist.
The maze installation will be made out of hardboard and chitenge material, a traditional African cloth. The material is used mainly in women’s clothing and is patterned with a number of different designs both traditional and political. Mwaba has responded to how the chitenge material, a key part of the African culture, has been manipulated by corporations and politics. Mwaba uses the chitenges to construct images and forms that explore both stereotypes of African culture and the artist’s own identity. Is Mwaba an African Artist or an artist from Africa?
Mwaba intends to question not only the viewer’s perception of Africa but also art as a practice. His work is a blending of craftwork and traditional painting with more modern conceptual elements.
Mwaba has spent part of his time at Watermill with the Bridgehampton Childcare Center and his work with the students will be reflected in the installation.
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