Her views and those of major Zambian artist Henry Tayali on the integrity of African art deeply influenced the founders of Mpapa.
During its time, Mpapa showcased the work of such artists as Flinto Chandia, David Chirwa, Mulenga Chafilwa, Tubayi Dube, Gabriel Ellison, Pam Guhrs-Carr, Vic Guhrs, Ruth Hartley (Bush), Stephen Kappata, Berlings Kaunda, Fackson Kulya, Style Kunda, Bente Lorenz, Andrew Makromalis, William Miko, Eddie Mumba, Paulina Mubanga, Lutanda Mwamba, Adam Mwansa, Patrick Mweemba, Germain Ngoma, Blanka Novotny, Dickson Nyendwa, Vincent Phiri, Godfrey Setti, Shadreck Simukanga, Henry Tayali,[6] Friday Tembo, Stephen Williams, Lawrence Yombwe, Cynthia Zukas and Elisha Zulu among others.
Mpapa was consulted by Robert Loder CBE in the lead-up to the Triangle Trust-funded Mbile workshops (subsequently Insaka) which enabled artists to work freely in a democratic and sponsored environment.
[8] The Gallery was also involved in residencies for Flinto Chandia, David Chirwa and Friday Tembo in Loder’s London Gasworks Studios and contributed to the attendance of Zambian artists to the Pachipamwe and Thapong workshops in Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Ruth Hartley published a monograph on the Gallery's history in 2024(9) Mpapa was established by Joan Pilcher and Heather Montgomerie.