Mpapa Gallery was the first independent art gallery in Zambia, existing in Lusaka from 1978 until 1996. History In the early 1970s, Zambia was one of the formidable Front Line States providing support to freedom fighters throughout the Southern African region (often at great cost to its own citizens in terms of access to food, security, freedom of movement and economic resources). Following independence in 1964, there were moves to support art (notably the establishment of the Art Centre Foundation in 1967) but by 1978 no independent art gallery existed and much of the artwork available was colonially-influenced at a time when Zambia had turned its back on the cultural influences of the countries to the south which were still not liberated. The African National Congress of South Africa was exiled in Zambia from 1963 and in the 70s its Department of Arts and Culture, under Barbara Masekela was amassing a collection of black South African art. Her views and those of major Zambian artist Henry Tayali on the integrity of African art deeply influenced the founders of Mpapa. Mpapa Gallery was formed with the specific objective of spotlighting the careers of existing Zambian artists or nurturing the development of new ones. The creative communities in Zambia faced heartrending losses from HIV/AIDS during the period in which Mpapa Gallery was operating. This impacted upon the sector-wide continuity of achievement, development of creative arts and stability of the art market. Artists and achievements During its time, Mpapa showcased the work of such artists as Flinto Chandia, David Chirwa, Mulenga Chafilwa, Tubayi Dube, Gabriel Ellison, Pam Guhrs-Carr, Vic Guhrs, Ruth Hartley (Bush), Stephen Kappata, Berlings Kaunda, Fackson Kulya, Style Kunda, Bente Lorenz, Andrew Makromalis, William Miko, Eddie Mumba, Paulina Mubanga, Lutanda Mwamba, Adam Mwansa, Patrick Mweemba, Germain Ngoma, Blanka Novotny, Dickson Nyendwa, Vincent Phiri, Godfrey Setti, Shadreck Simukanga, Henry Tayali, Friday Tembo, Stephen Williams, Lawrence Yombwe, Cynthia Zukas and Elisha Zulu among others. It also held exhibitions of Zambian crafts (in association with the Zintu Foundation), ceramics and photography as well as hosting visiting artists such as the American John Franklin Koenig, Cuban artist Manuel Mendive, the British holographer Patrick Keown Boyd and others. Mpapa provided curatorial advice to Lechwe Trust and to the Chaminuka Art collection. The gallery worked on joint projects with the British, American, Italian, Norwegian (NORAD) and Russian embassies. Working with the British Council workshops for Zambian artists