Chambo Market Bookshop and Art Gallery’s new collection at Old Town Mall

Chambo Market Bookshop and Art Gallery has opened its new space. We have a permanent collection of some of Malawi’s best visual artists (past and present). Vistors can see striking pieces by Boston Mbale, Nixon Malamulo, Innocent Willinga, and others.

In our new, larger space, you can still pick up the best book titles on Malawi. And now you can buy some beautiful art work, including be Elson Kambalu, Ellis Singano and Nyangu Chodola. We’re still at Old Town Mall in Lilongwe.

This expansion builds on our long-term vision of curating Malawi’s heritage and arts to contribute to the stories of the nation. We plan to continue to build a large permanent display of art work, as well as bring to market exclusive pieces for sale.

Chambo Market Bookshop and Art Gallery in August 2023, Old Town Mall, Lilongwe

We’ve been working with some of Malawi’s best as well as up-and-coming artists from the start in 2016. Most of Logos Open Culture’s books are adorned with Malawian art on the covers. The first edition of Malawi – A Place Apart by Asbjørn Eidhammer features Ellis Singano’s batik work Malawi before and after. Lomathinda: Rose Chibambo Speaks by Timwa Lipenga features Lerato Honde’s mixed media piece on the cover. Making Music in Malawi by John Lwanda features Andrew Missi’s oil painting Paradise of Music. We will soon unveil the cover of the second edition of Malawi – A Place Apart, which will be out later this year.

Muti Etter-Phoya, Director of Logos Open Culture, said on the opening,

We’re excited to visually contribute to the Malawi story with Chambo Market Bookshop and Art Gallery. We’re excited to pay tribute to some of Malawi’s artists from the past who risk being lost. We are keeping their memory alive by exhibiting their art for all to see.