Claude Boucher, Joseph Kadzombe & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Lozenge 02

Malawi – Dedza District – Mua Parish   … And the second emphasizes the dignity of work, both in the family and in the community.   KAP.B(i).01.01.01.23 Artist: Claude Boucher, Patricio Tambala Mponyani & Joseph Kadzombe Title: Lozenge 02 Date: 1989 Themes: Architecture, Church Decoration, Community, Family, Work Source: Vidi

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Claude Boucher, Joseph Kadzombe & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Lozenge 01

Malawi – Dedza District – Mua Parish   This is one of two lozenges, wrought from banana leaves, which are placed either side of the West Door. They serve to prepare the congregation for life in the world on leaving the church. The first emphasizes the family and works of charity…   KAP.B(i).01.01.01.04 Artist: Claude…

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Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Men’s Work

Malawi – Dedza District – Mua Parish   These wall paintings are applied to the side of the church where the men sit and evoke their world. They are the companions to the pieces that depict ‘Women’s Work’ on the South Side. Illustrations are, respectively, of carving, the sewing of mats, forestry, drums (and art),…

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Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambana Mponyani – Tabernacle Stand

Malawi – Dedza District – Mua Parish   The tabernacle base is made of wood recycled from the beams of the old church. The original was the idea of Joseph Kuppens and Georg Messer, and executed (like the tabernacle) by Arkadio Siwinda, but the decoration is Claude Boucher’s. The tsekere grass adorned the pre-existing altar.…

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Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Creatures of the Air

Malawi – Dedza District – Mua Parish   The East wall of the church is adorned with a broad wall painting in three distinct bands, which depict Creation as it inhabits air, land and lake. Here we see, fluttering into the heights of the church, a hoopoe, a blue pigeon, a whistling duck, butterflies, an…

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Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – St. John the Baptist

Malawi – Zomba Diocese – Lisanjala Parish – Mambo Outstation   In the late 1960’s and throughout the 1970’s Claude Boucher applied himself to the completion of wall paintings for humble outstations in remote parishes, where he gave Malawian identity to Gospel scenes more familiar under other dress. His collaborator in this work was Patricio…

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Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Women’s Work

Malawi – Dedza Diocese – Mua Parish – Parish Church   These wall paintings are applied to the side of the church where the women sit and evoke their world. This has a double effect: even though in the presence of God, the congregation does not feel too far removed from its usual setting, and…

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Claude Boucher & Joseph Kadzombe – The Visitation

Malawi – Dedza Diocese – Mua Parish – Parish Church   This is Claude Boucher’s companion piece to Mary Help of Christians and is placed to the right of the West door. The Gospel account of the Visitation is brought to life in strong African colours and dress. Malawians, unlike so many in richer countries,…

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