Josephy carved these nativities for World Nativity.  World Nativity is operated by a very good friend, Garrick Hyde, and his family.

Josephy's Mahogany Nativity

Josephy's Ebony Nativity

Click on the links above for description of the works above.  Click here to see the great work of World Nativity.

Josephy sells his art at a morning market that happens monthly.  During the summer his work is sought after by tourists on the shores of Lake Malawi.  This Marketplace painting is very popular.  While the theme and elements are similar each painting is an original. 

 Below are close ups of some of these elements on a different version.

 Notice the bicycle taxi. Wonderful foods laid out huts and trees of the village and people on their way The baobab tree, chickens, and vegetables

The Tree of Life represents the love of God and the fruit thereof is the most desirable above all things.

Here is the same painting with the bamboo tube in came in.  I'd like to find a way to display the two together.  Any suggestions?

Brother Banda's bamboo was a very pleasant surprise.  One of the paintings we have is of "The Tree of Life".  I'll post that one later.  When my daughter arrived with it in this bamboo tube I was fascinated and it was quite some time before I even looked at the painting.

And here is what it looks like on the inside.  I think this tube was a beautiful way to transport the paintings, and a piece of art in its own right.

Beads have been used for all kinds of things from ornamentation to money.  And they are made from all sorts of material like bones, shells, glass, and rock.  But paper?  You betcha!  The larger beads in this colorful necklace are made from tightly wound paper.

These cards are beautiful and make great Christmas cards.  These are gifts that bring a smile to the person who receives them and also blesses the life of a good family a world away.  Check out World Nativity.  It is an amazing and remarkable story of one family trying to do some good in the world.

Click this link to get more info or to buy these lovely Banana Fiber Cards

Lake Malawi is by far the most prominent geographical feature in Malawi.  It is the 3rd largest and 2nd deepest lake in Africa and the 9th largest in the world.  It boarders Mozambique and Tanzania.  Of course it is a major food and water source.  But it also has many great beaches and resorts for water fun.  African fish eagles, hippopotamus, monkeys, and crocodiles are among the wildlife in and around the lake.

This interesting piece captures the essence of Jimi Hendrix.  Although he was a mainstream electric guitarist for only 4 short years from about 1966 to 1970, he has become an icon of that era and is considered by many to be one of the greatest electric guitarists ever.  I think of his performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Woodstock.  Some viewed it as a statement against the Vietnam war but he said his use of over amplification and feedback was to simulate the rockets bursting in air when the anthem was written and the noise and static of the current era.  Something about that rings true today as ever.  

If anyone can interpret the signature please share.  It is the official Jimi Hendrix signature but I don't understand the first name in his signature.  Please comment.

The Baobab tree is prominent in this piece and in the lives of Malawians.  These giant trees are sometimes called the upside down tree.  Legend is that the tree was lording itself above lesser plants and so God uprooted it and planted in the ground upside down.  The massive trunks of these trees have been known to grow to almost 100' tall and 150' around.  They have a fruit that is reportedly quite tasty.  These unique trees need to be seen to be truly appreciated but this fine artwork gives us a sense of how significant they are.  The Baobab tree shows up frequently in Brother Banda's African Art.

By the way, this is a 2" x 7.5" bookmark.

This is a very recent work from Brother Banda.
Look at this one for a while and take it all in.  Then follow the link below.

Mark 5

Doesn't this look fun! Music and dancing.  Colorful clothes and beauty all around.  This is a celebration of life in all it's color and magnificent diversity of thought and positive expression.

Here is another Christmas themed painting.  I love the blending of influences here, like the traditional manger scene and animals with the Malawian homes and surroundings.  Note attitude of the wise men riding with a sense of urgency.  We actually purchased this one but I haven't had a chance to get it suitably mounted yet.

Can you find the dog?

When my daughter first sent us the set of bookmarks from Malawi we all divided them up.  This is the one I grabbed.  I keep it mounted on the wall of my cubicle at work.

 "Take me down to my boat on the river..."

I first came to know Josephy as Brother Banda when my daughter met him in Blantyre.  She sent us some of these bookmarks.  They measure approximately 2" x 7.25" and are painted on a compressed paper that he also made.

Josephy Banda is a husband, father and artist living in the town of Blantyre, Malawi, Africa

This blog will feature some of his artwork.  I have found his artwork to be full of energy and life.  It makes one feel connected in a special way to the good things of earth.  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.