Lawrence Sichilwela says he got the skill of being an artist from his father starting at the age of 15 years. He prefers hardwood such as Ironwood and Ebony after working as a sculptor for 33 years. He mostly sells his work at his own shop at Mukuni Boma at the Falls. A lot has improved since he joined this trade because he has managed to take his children to school. But things are more difficult now with few visitors to Livingstone.
“I have much longer walks into the bush now to find the trees that I want because most of the trees are being cut from this area. People are either farming or making charcoal to find enough money to look after their families.”
He expects to benefit now so that he can buy more wood for his work and to have enough capital to empower his business. He feels happy that his work has been erected at Civic Centre because he knows for sure that his talent will be exposed to many.
“I selected the theme called Mbamba Kayawe because it is the best theme among the sculptures that I have made so far. I feel it to be very important because it talks about the Chief and his Wife in their village and its symbolism of love.”
These shows the duties of a man and a woman, each one has a responsibility to the family as husband and wife.
“I will have enough capital to grow my business and am honoured to be among the artist s that have been selected to display my work at the Civic Centre”
