‘Feminism’ lacks fire at art gallery

Women are nurturers, harvesters, lovers and mothers in ‘Feminism’, a new exhibition briefly on show at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN).

Presenting the latest finds of a research programme aimed at exploring themes of feminism and womanhood in Namibia, the exhibition will be on show at the NAGN’s lower gallery until 4 August.

‘Feminism’ features artworks from the gallery’s permanent collection, as well as from other local archives.

While the exhibition title suggests a connection to the women’s movement that characteristically advocates social, economic and political equality of all genders, much of the gallery’s selection depicts women at work within their traditional roles and in rural settings.

“This exhibition centres the experiences of Namibian women, emphasising the role women played in traditional communities, such as in the Aawambo communities, harvesting and processing mahangu,” the NAGN says in its curatorial statement.

More concerned with equality are artworks by Actofel Ilovu, Tuli Mekondjo and Bewise Tjonga.

In ‘Eyes on Women’s Movement’, Ilovu uses mixed media to pay homage to local women’s movements pushing back against Namibia’s rampant sexual and gender-based violence and victim blaming.

Tjonga’s ‘Just Married’ is a linoprint hope for Namibia’s future in which same-sex couples may access legally recognised matrimony.

And though Tuli Mekondjo presents imagery of a woman carrying a load on her head in the traditional manner, the artist names the piece ‘Be Independent’, which speaks to the idea that women should strive to be self-sufficient and not depend entirely on someone else to survive.

Noting women’s connection to the ancestors in a woodcut by David Amukoto, celebrating culture in work by Samuel Mbingilo, depicting sisterhood in Ismael Tjijenda’s ‘Three Sisters’ and presenting the dark side of women’s alcohol abuse in a lino print by Sara Nekombo, ‘Feminism’ centres and even celebrates women but seems mistitled.

Should you read the exhibition title, go to the NAGN and expect artworks that speak to concepts of equality, women’s empowerment, their contemporary struggles, solutions or striving, ‘Feminism’ may lack fire and fall flat.

While there are a number of bold, exciting, activist artists engaging in work that speaks to feminism replete with the realities of violence and marginalisation that drive the movement’s social, political and economic advocacy and considerations, this exhibition largely does not include these local voices.

Words mean things.

It would be easy enough to call this showing something else, and perhaps the NAGN should have.

The harder but necessary work is finding these past and contemporary feminist voices then buying, sourcing and exhibiting their work.

That is if you want to call your showcase ‘Feminism’ and deliver.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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