David Chudy flew 800 km (500 miles) in a small plane to create a clay bust of King Mwanawina Lewanika III of Barotseland in the early 60’s, clearly intended for bronze casting.

That much is evident, but with no one alive to give follow up answers, a big mystery still persists about this whole production and ‘what happened then?’.

Mukwae Wabei Siyolwe is granddaughter to King Mwanawina Lewanika III. As an accomplished multi-talented artist herself, she took an interest in David Chudy’s artistic legacy and has participated in research into the circumstances of the creation of this bust.

The only known copy of this art is a plaster cast which is to be featured along with other works at a major retrospective of David Chudy’s paintings and sculpture in Harare at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe.

Thus far, no other copies have been found and still, no one really knows who commissioned the work. Some photos and 8mm film footage exist from Mongu in Zambia after the journey for the sculpture sitting, some of which are featured in the video.

Mukwae and Philip discuss the mystery of this bust as well as David’s legacy, in general – his paintings, sculpture and recently discovered photography. David Chudy website

Mukwae Wabei Siyolwe’s YouTube channel

King Mwanawina Lewanika III https://www.britannica.com/biography/…