THE BIRTH OF MODZI KITCHEN

Artist Mapopa Hussein Manda hard at work, constructing vegetable beds.

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Cooking & feeding local artists and their families in the Modzi Kitchen

Corona Virus has severely affected the arts industry in Zambia, threatening closure of art spaces and challenging artists’ livelihoods. As a result, Modzi Arts has been facing difficulties within programing and operations, which all contribute towards the sustainable structures of the organization.

For the last seven months Modzi has been supporting artists with accommodation within the Modzi house and work space. We closed the space to the public but kept it open to artists, especially those in need. By keeping the space open for artists in need, we have been able to support some of our beneficiaries by being a home in such difficult times. Artists have kept coming into the space either for ideas, discussion, food or shelter.

Luckily, we have had funding from the amazing organization In Place of War. This funding has allowed Modzi to cook lunches or dinners (traditional local foods) and feed artists and their families.  From this, the Modzi Kitchen has been born! This is a place of rethinking the idea of community, fostering dependability/Ubuntu amongst each other in the art industry during hard times.

In order to make the Modzi Kitchen sustainable on a long term basis, a food garden is being created by local artist Mapopa Hussein Manda as part of the Art Farming Residency. Food is being grown by the very community that comes to use the space and together we become producers of Ubuntu.