"Nyasa Arts was developed by chance when in January 2002; I - Paul Januarius pictured top left - traveled through Africa by overland truck for 4 months.

When I reached Malawi, a small country based in south central Africa, I had the good fortune to discover art, having had no previous interest in it. I first met local artist Andy “Kande” in Nkhata Bay, Kande beach. There Andy showed me the colourful and varied artwork produced by the mainly self taught Malawian artists. We spoke about the problems facing the artists and decided to form a business which would help them out.

I then journeyed to Lilongwe, the capital city and met Roy “Rasta” Maliseni, a street trader who introduced me to a variety of accomplished artists. Upon my return to England we kept in constant contact and Andy & Roy worked hard to gather Malawi’s best artists such as; Zaccaria “quiet man” Phiri, Anthony “wildlife” Sawa, William “pencil” Mwale & Sudi “esoteric” Mwale, Chrisford “mouth painter” Chayera, Aaron “birdman” Banda, and Nyangu “knife” Chodola.

Initially we showcased some of our artists on www.artybiz.com with the very generous help and continuous support of Mike Summers their MD. This enabled us to launch our successful website www.nyasaarts.com.