We went to simply get out of Lusaka but also because Chaminuka has a large collection of art. And it does indeed. One of Zambia's most significant artists is the late Henry Tayali; his work is abstract meets expressionism often depicting groups, crowds of figures or landscapes that are also somehow crammed with uniformity – colourful, textured.
The lodge is pretty much crammed with art, everywhere you turn there is a stark white marble sculpture reminiscent of Moore or Epworth, there are large tribal masks staring down at you starkly so you feel transported to a dark corner of the British Museum. Truly it is a formidable collection that is democratic and diverse, but the sheer number pieces means that canvasses are on ever available wall space and the overall effect is overwhelming and a little tatty. More importantly there are no notes to tell you of the artist or the title of the piece or even where it is from and this is a grave shame. Perhaps it is time for Chaminuka to consider a space dedicated to this impressive collection and do it full justice.
