"Big 5" Chief Chair

150 x 50 x 75 cm, © 2018, not for sale
Three-dimensional | Sculpture | Wood

The "big five Chief-chair" seen at many "Africa tourist Art&Crafts markets", this one is in Lilongwe, Malawi. The artist bought it and brought it home to study it. In the near future it might / will become a part of an installation.

 

 

The Chief-chair is like a throne for the highest in hierarchy in the traditional village in Malawi (and Zambia) amongst other countries. Often they contain a male and female portrait, village scene, food and maybe a warrior. They differ per village to village.

 

The big five (Elephant / Rhino / Lion / Buffalow / Leopard) you see here is a theme that is specifically designed for the tourists and finally home they can be their own chief in their own thrown. Like the artist is sitting in it and is updating his website, but he aint a chief.