The Modzi Arts Gallery is a contemporary gallery that works with artists to develop and present new bodies of work in innovative ways. It was established in 2016 with the vision of providing a space for knowledge exchange, experimenting, engagement and dialogue within the visual arts sector in Zambia. In 2019, Modzi Arts moved into a different space and incorporated the Modzi Arts Gallery within it. The dedicated space has hosted artist presentations, film screenings and exhibitions. In 2019 Modzi Arts Gallery was invited to participate in the Gallery Lab programme co-curated by Banele Khoza and Nicole Siegenthale during the 2019 FNB Art Joburg fair. The programme was framed as an incubator for emerging galleries and space for exploration; to present and test new artists, ideas and business models relevant to the contemporary African arts landscape. For the 2020 online edition of FNB Art Joburg, Modzi Art Gallery returns with a solo presentation by Stary Mwaba.

Stary Mwaba is a Lusaka-based artist whose work, research and current working process engages with current socio-political circumstances in Zambia through personal narratives and archival materials. Stary highlights subjects from the Copperbelt region of Zambia who are affected by the past and present impact of mining in that region.

Stary is the recipient of The Commonwealth Arts and Crafts Award, Zambia National Arts Council Award and the 2014/2015 KfW Stiftung grant at Künstlerhaus Bethanien, Berlin. He has participated in a number of residences, exhibitions and international workshops, which include Bisi Silva’s CCA, FCa Ghana, Robert Wilson’s Watermill Residence New York, The Caribbean Contemporary Arts, Trinidad and Tobago, Braziers International workshop, London. His solo exhibitions include the Solace of a migrant at Gallery Momo in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2009, Freedom in Transition at Lusaka National Museum in 2008, and Crossing Over at Caribbean Contemporary Arts, Port of Spain Trinidad and Tobago in 2005.