Artists mourn Armin Sander

NAMIBIAN artists and art lovers alike have been stunned by the unexpected death of well-known Namibian painter Armin Sander.

Sander’s body was found on Sunday morning in the bathroom of Tikoloshe Africa at Omaruru, where he had apparently hanged himself using a piece of electrical wire. Sander (71) was born in Germany but had lived in Namibia since long before Independence.His début exhibition was at The Muschel gallery at Swakopmund, combined with works of fellow members of the Adelheid Lilienthal group of artists.Since then he had held more than 20 exhibitions, mainly in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Omaruru and Luederitz.He had also earned international recognition, particularly in the United States, Germany, Switzerland and England, with one of his paintings included in the collection of Queen Elizabeth II.The Director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia, Joe Madisia, described Sander’s death as a tremendous loss.Sander had organised many a workshop to develop the talents of young artists.”He was a very gifted person, especially known for his individual approach to oil pastel drawing, which was his favourite medium,” Madisia told The Namibian yesterday.”He took his art in his stride and did not mindlessly follow the masses.He was a quiet man, not at all flamboyant, but was always willing to share his knowledge and skills.Sander had a great love for nature and an exceptional aptitude for observation.”Friends and fellow artists yesterday remembered Sander as a kind, generous, helpful man who lived a quiet life away from the limelight.Some years ago, during the Diaz Festival, Sander had embarked on a remarkable hiking trip from Windhoek to Luederitz.During this four-week-long trek through the South, he completed about 150 paintings, of which the proceeds were donated to charitable causes.Joe Madisia reflected that it was ironic and quite sad that artists often received more recognition posthumously than in life.”Many artists die poor and their work is only valued when they are not there any more.People should collect works and support artists before they die,” he said.Sander (71) was born in Germany but had lived in Namibia since long before Independence.His début exhibition was at The Muschel gallery at Swakopmund, combined with works of fellow members of the Adelheid Lilienthal group of artists.Since then he had held more than 20 exhibitions, mainly in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Omaruru and Luederitz.He had also earned international recognition, particularly in the United States, Germany, Switzerland and England, with one of his paintings included in the collection of Queen Elizabeth II.The Director of the National Art Gallery of Namibia, Joe Madisia, described Sander’s death as a tremendous loss.Sander had organised many a workshop to develop the talents of young artists.”He was a very gifted person, especially known for his individual approach to oil pastel drawing, which was his favourite medium,” Madisia told The Namibian yesterday.”He took his art in his stride and did not mindlessly follow the masses.He was a quiet man, not at all flamboyant, but was always willing to share his knowledge and skills.Sander had a great love for nature and an exceptional aptitude for observation.”Friends and fellow artists yesterday remembered Sander as a kind, generous, helpful man who lived a quiet life away from the limelight.Some years ago, during the Diaz Festival, Sander had embarked on a remarkable hiking trip from Windhoek to Luederitz.During this four-week-long trek through the South, he completed about 150 paintings, of which the proceeds were donated to charitable causes.Joe Madisia reflected that it was ironic and quite sad that artists often received more recognition posthumously than in life.”Many artists die poor and their work is only valued when they are not there any more.People should collect works and support artists before they die,” he said.