@rtchat > It is wonderful to have you on this artchat as the first Zambian artist to feature since we started, however tell us when did you come into mainstream art?

Shady > After graduating from Evelyn Hone College in 1979. Initially I was doing illustrations for orbit magazine,graphic art for show stands and worked for Pilcher Graphics where I was swindled by a woman in one of the graphic jobs I did for her.I entered Christmas exhibition, and a visiting American artist commented "as too good to be true". I was encouraged to do a solo show at Mpapa Gallery by Cynthia Zukas and Ruth Bush.

@rtchat > Who inspired you or did you have any role models?

Shady > 1989 was the year of my solo and I sold everything in that exhibition. Yes my work is figurative, there was no Zambian artist who doing figures at that time, so I had access to read and see works ( those drawings ) done by old masters like Michealangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci and other artists from that side.

@rtchat > I have heard from artists in the art circles calling you the 'fossil'. How does this relate to your career as an artist.?

Shady > The fossil ,is born out of stone and pebbles because thats where you find a fossil, some how it may be that these guys I have been there for them, I can answer any question artists would ask.You see fossils could be those before us, but they chose to do favours for themselves, not being helpful to upcoming artists. People dont forget you because you have influence and share ideas openly, chat new ways of expression.

@rtchat > As one of the veteran artists,you have seen it all of contemporary art development in Zambia. You have travelled abroad to relate or compare these develpoments. Whom do you think should pioneer these developments as young artists are not experienced enough to implement these professional elements in the arts?

Shady > The young artists dont see anything that they can exploit from 'closed' old artists or the young artists have not approached these people, or if they have , they have not been open at all to them, always hiding information. There has been a gap between young and old artists resulting in fear from young artists.

@rtchat > Could you briefly explain the contributions you have made to the art fratenity?

Shady > The role I can be proud of is that of discovering talent, I am just a catalyst who polishes raw diamond, I gain satisfaction from helping upcoming artists, I give and get back , by interacting you learn a lot. Discovery of more talent means more artists, so that we can have more creative people than politicians.

@rtchat > Do you think serving the community is a thankless job?

Shady > Lutanda Mwamba and David Chirwa, when they used to work at Mpapa Gallery could get advise from me. If they can mention, just mention, it is more than enough for me. I feel it is not thankless. My pleasure is to see how poeple have developed. But if some artists cannot mention others may be it could be thankless, because they would have divorced themselves from the source, concentrating on themselves. I can say artists like Style Kunda and Lawrence Yombwe did also helped me as much as I helped them in the way we developed our art.

@rtchat > Your style has inspired some of todays emergent artists, do you feel challanged that some have attained recognition in the style you introduced?

Shady > You feel challanged and thats what makes you work. It create competitive spirit, you always take a step forward, to higher level when others are copying, it is good to have variety , but it also shows that there is a 'school of thought'.

@rtchat > Your latest travel was the artist-in-residence at Basel in Switzerland. Are there any few things that you can advise young artists who are aspiring to apply for artists-in residence programs around the world?

Shady > Presentation of your portifolio that you send must clear straight forward and clean, your pictures,images, CV.The statement of what you want to do there. If you dont know then ask those who have gone there. It is important to have more young artists getting exposed.

@rtchat > Zambia has a set of forceful arts organisation such as VAC, Rockston Studio, Namwandwe Gallery, Chaminuka, Zamntambi and others including the economical forces behind them, as an artist how can these entities bring meaningful development to artists and the arts?

Shady > They can act as agents for artists , depending on their policy in business. Establishing a gallery at Chaminuka, also there is a place at Namwandwe, but may be artists are not making use of these art places themselves,they must use them.Of course galleries have taste of work they promote.They could do better if they had websites which could have online exhibitions and information

@rtchat > Any hope of art development in Zambia ?.

Shady > Ask Lutanda and David about how they began there, you see there are others you can ask as well Yombwe, William Miko, Chafilwa, Mutulikwa, Mulangala, Mambwe all these guys mean development to me. Human resource is vital. One of my students' father wanted to pay me for teaching his son, I refused to be paid in money but if only he could mention who guided him, was all I valued and wanted from him

@rtchat > Thank you Shady, thank you for taking your time off to come for this interview ?

He busts out laughing as he drags me to the computer, to assist him apply on line for Kuona Trust residence. Next on @rtchat check on Friday Tembo, the pioneer of Ulendo Studios.