[TH] Church Decoration | njovuyalema.org

Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Creatures of the Lake & under the Land

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 (and under the land). Here we see numerous lake fish, together with a newt and a crab, the amphibious frog…

Claude Boucher & Patricio Tambala Mponyani – Creatures of the Land

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, betwixt two flowers, a snail, a hare, a woman with mortar and a man with axe and…

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…

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…

Leonard Chikasasa – Creation

Malawi – Dedza Diocese – Mua Parish – Parish Church Leonard Chikasasa’s association with Claude Boucher predates the establishment of Kungoni Centre in 1976. This panel, together with his fine depiction of the Risen Christ, were originally the only decorative devices in the parish church. Against a characteristic background of geometric patterns, applied directly…

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…

James Samikwa – God Our Mother

Malawi – Dedza Diocese – Mua Parish – Parish Church High over the nave of the church hangs James Samikwa’s depiction of God Our Mother. God – Chauta (one of several Chewa names for God) is depicted, as often in Kungoni art, concealed behind a mask, which suggests here a smiling mother who extends…

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,…

Claude Boucher & Joseph Kadzombe – Mary Help of Christians

Malawi – Dedza Diocese – Mua Parish – Parish Church The West door of the parish church is flanked by two frescoes in cement, which are the first of many that will appear on these pages. The one to the left depicts Mary Help of Christians, which is the dedication of the church and…