The prestigious Bank Windhoek Triennial is set to inspire a wave of self-reflection, creativity and innovation as the initiative makes its return after a significant hiatus. Launched at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) last week, the countrywide competition invites visual artists to explore this year’s theme ‘Namibia’s Identity: The Linework of a Country’s Contours and Wealth’.
Applications will be available from 20 May and the due date for artworks is 20 May 2026. Artists from all regions and at any stage of their career are invited to take part.
“The Bank Windhoek Triennial, in partnership with the NAGN, is once again proud to invite Namibian artists to participate in the sixth edition of this esteemed competition,” says Bank Windhoek’s head of sponsorships, Bronwyn Moody.
“The triennial is more than just an exhibition. It is a mirror held up to society, reflecting our collective journey with endless possibilities. This platform is also where bold ideas take shape, where tradition meets innovation and the universal language of creativity speaks louder than ever,” Moody says.
“This year, we delve into the layered and nuanced concept of nationhood, inviting artists to reflect on the question: What does it mean to be Namibian and how does this identity shape artistic practices today?”
In keeping with the theme of identity, a Bank Windhoek Triennial launch piece by artist Petrus Shiimi employs the lines of a fingerprint within a Namibian map to highlight the country’s unique geographic contours as well as its singular beauty and diversity.
NEW ENERGY
Though the triennial has been absent since 2020, primarily due to the NAGN’s navigation of new leadership, the need to fix structural damage and upgrade facilities, the gallery’s chief curator, Ndeenda Shivute-Nakapunda, ensures the public that the institution is in good shape to move forward with the esteemed event.
“We’ve got a facelift. We’ve got new leadership, lots of energy and we’re excited to engage with our artist community and bring together an amazing show and great competition,” says Shivute-Nakapunda.
With new leadership, comes some changes including building capacity in the regions and doing away with competition categories.
“Regional representation is key to the competition and because of that, this year we’ve partnered with art extension officers to ensure that artists in the regions have access to information about the competition and the support that they need in order to develop their work,” says Shivute-Nakapunda.
“The second big thing is that we’ve got three main prizes. We do not have categories. The first main prize will be a N$50 000 prize paired with a solo exhibition here the at the NAGN. The second prize will be N$35 000 and the third N$25 000,” says Shivute-Nakapunda.
“The top three winners will be supported by the NAGN after the competition to further develop their careers, whether it’s applying to residencies and getting their work to beyond the Namibian audience and internationally.”
The Bank Windhoek Triennial will also include a category for emerging artists – under 35 years old – who will join the NAGN’s existing emerging artists programme. These artists will be supported through studio visits and materials and assisted in developing a full, marketable body of work.
“Many artists have won this competition and have gone on to thrive in their artist careers,” says Shivute-Nakapunda. “We look forward to supporting even more artists to becoming household Namibian names and even international brands.”
While the Bank Windhoek Triennial offers the opportunity to shine as an individual artist, the competition also presents a platform to explore Namibian identity as a collective.
“We have our individual identities but together we form a collective. A fingerprint beautifully represents this as well,” says NAGN director Michelle van Wyk.
“To all the artists who take part, whether you’re picking up a brush, whether it’s a soldering iron, a grinder, a piece of cardboard or a jeweller’s saw frame, for the first time or you’ve been creating for years – it’s important that you embrace this platform,” says Van Wyk.
“We cannot wait to see how this challenge of the norm sparks conversations for inspiration and beauty yet to be seen,” she says. “Let this be the competition to be remembered. It’ll be a movement of creativity, collaboration and community.”
Artists can download a Bank Windhoek Triennial application form at bankwindhoek.com and at nagn.org.na from 20 May.
– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com
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