Seb Toussaint

Just posting a few pictures fron the latest episode of Share The Word Project in Bauleni, Lusaka, Zambia. The project started exactly 13 years ago when I decided to spend one month in a low income neighbourhood of Jakarta to paint words that people gave me. Since then, I have painted 256 murals on this project, each one containing one word, and always in slums and refugee camps. I self-fund the project with my commissioned murals and by selling my artwork. Therefore I’d like to thank the clients I’ve had this year and who made this possible.

I’d like to thank Dudu, my friend and assistant who’s been of a tremendous help for many years!

Thank you to Olivier and Cherna and the inhabitants of Bauleni for their very warm welcome in Zambia! We had a great time and would have loved to have carried on painting more houses!

I’m now back in Europe for a short break!

Miriam chose the word “Lesa” meaning “god” in Bemba. On this one I wanted to try using the same pattern in every zone. The aim is to make it look fully abstract at first but when looking closer, one can see the 4 letters. Can you read it?

Jameson chose the word “Nzeru” (“Wisdom” in Nyanja). At 62, he is an old man in Bauleni, a low-income neighbourhood where the majority of people are under 18. He told me it’s the responsibility of the older people to share their wisdom to the youth and pass on their knowledge.

Here is a triptych I painted live at the French Embassy in Zambia. The word « Dream » was chosen by Thomas Rossignol, the ambassador. The live painting lasted almost 5 hours during the « Fête Nationale » celebrations. Thank you to Thomas for the warm welcome! I really enjoyed the challenge! 🙏
Ambassade de France en Zambie / French Embassy in Zambia

Matiuda chose the word “Chisomo” (Mercy in Nyanja). She is a catholic and told me that she believes that god is merciful and forgiving. I started painting this wall on Sunday when many people were at church. For a large part of the day, I could hear an excellent choir and a band playing in a church just a few meters away! I love painting while listening to music, it definitely gave a vibe to the mural.

Nkole chose the word « Ichitemwiko » meaning « Love » in Bemba. Nkole lives here with his wife Susan and their children. His house is one of about 8 small houses built around a small square and making up one plot of land. The plot is home to one family and when girls get married they go to live at their husbands’ plot.
Nkole is 51 and one of the oldest living on this piece of land. He appreciates living around his lovely children and grandchildren.

Steven chose the word « Nyimbili » meaning « the place you call home » in Chitumbuka. Steven’s family is from the Tumbuka tribe of Eastern Zambua but Steven was born and raised here in Bauleni, a low income neighbourhood of Lusaka. He told me that what he loves the most about the place he calls home is the togetherness and solidarity; and what he dislikes is the arguing or fighting that occurs when people are drunk.

Precious chose the word “Nkisu” (Blessing in Nyanja). She is 39 years old, and raises 6 children while looking after a vegetable stall where she sells tomatoes and Chinese cabbage. I asked her why she chose the word “nkisu” and she said that she felt blessed that we had come to paint her wall.

Macy chose the word “Legacy”. She inherited the house from her mother and now lives here with her 4 children. She follows in her mother’s footsteps, doing her best to bring up her kids in a tough environment.

This mural is my first in Zambia and my 250th of Share The Word Project.

Starting a new episode of Share The Word Project in Lusaka, Zambia! 13 years ago I started this on-going project where I go to slums and refugee camps for one month each time and paint words that people give me. Since the beginning I have painted 249 different murals in more than 22 countries.

With my friend and helper Dudu, we will be painting here in the slum of Bauleni for the month of July. Stay tuned!