LAST Friday night art lovers and industry change makers convened for the launch of upcoming artist Charmy Kurz’s solo art exhibition at an exclusive event at The Village, in Windhoek.
The array of works shows off the multitalented creative’s skill to combine human sensuality with the natural curvature of the outside world.
Be it fauna, a woman’s body, or a face morphed into something somewhat dreamlike, Kurz’s imagination and skill shine throughout the pieces. And her ability to evoke emotion is clear. There is a certain delicateness to Kurz’s brush strokes, which are light and gentle, complemented by the opacity watercolours are famous for.
Her portraits are all very simple, though once you look at the canvases, you feel a certain comfort in the fact that there is so much depth to them. Be it a sultry silhouette or painting titled ‘self-portrait’ that isn’t quite what it seems, you feel as though you have been given access to the inner workings of a young woman’s mind.
These artworks are definitely the kind that need to be hung in bright, large and well-lit rooms. They lift the mood and liven the spirit, and would be paired well with sweet wine and soft jazz. The artist said with this range of artworks, she wanted people to see a different side to her other than her social media presence, and that she wanted to express how much she loved being able to create. “Art is my whole life,” she says of her work that is inspired by her emotions.
At the launch, hosted by media personality Pombili Shilongo, the young painter thanked people for coming to her first exhibition, and spoke on her excitement to explore all of her talents.
Aside from painting, Kurz also releases music under the name ‘Kurzca’, and has been well received by fans with two singles under her belt, one featuring South African rapper Nadia Nakai, receiving over 50 000 YouTube views in a matter of weeks. Kurz is signed to newly formed music label RTE Records, headed by media personality Ennio Hamutenya.
The label, which is currently marred by controversies over disputes with signees DJ Spuzza and Chester HousePrince, is also behind the management of her painting career. Other signed artists, such as Tumi Mohammed and Shana Zandile, showed up at the exhibition to show their support. The crowd included other big names like top musician Gazza, model Leena Shipwata, party starter DJ Kiki, and poet/activist Keith Vries, among others.
Hamutenya expressed gratitude over the turnout, saying supporting each other across the creative industry is what would take the country far – an agenda he has strongly been pushing since before becoming an artist manager.The artworks will soon be available for sale on her website.
– Anne Hambuda is a writer, poet and social commentator from Windhoek, Namibia.
