We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mahari Chabwera a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mahari , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.

I learned to do what I do from watching others, and being motivated by their energy or methodologies. Being part of an inspiring community affirms my life as an artist, and provides pathways to do what I do more sustainably. It gives me the opportunity to accumulate new ways of making, thinking, and being in the world. My daily practices continue to evolve with new experiences and challenges. I practice integrating soulful and succinct ways of being that feel unique and natural to me. I reach out for support to maintain this satisfying pace. When I experience blockages or emotional crashes it’s typically because of my own impatience, rigidity or inflexibility. Being like a jellyfish is my current practice. Flowing with the ebbs and swirls of this water based life, constantly swimming, adapting and accepting what I create, and what comes along.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I was born an artist and creator, as I believe we all are. In highschool I chose to go to art school for college which I think, began to situate me within the arts industry. I make paintings, tapestries, murals and sculptures. I also facilitate a live + work space for artists in East Baltimore. I’m most proud of the artwork I make. I think it’s pretty spectacular and I feel the most joyous jolt to complete something and see it before me, finished exactly as it would like to be.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

The particular creative goal driving me right now is sustainability as an artist for myself and my peers.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding part of being an artist is the ability to create my own work and to be paid well for it. To wake up and have my days unfold according to how I see fit, and to know (on the days that I do) that my creative output is a significant cultural contribution.

Contact Info:

• Website: maharichabwera.com
• Instagram: maharichabwera

Image Credits
Gabriel Amadi – photo 2 Joseph Mukendi – photo 3, 4 David Hunter Hale photo 5, 6, 7