Futurism and Colour Connect at the Unam Visual Arts Graduates Exhibition

•Masiyaleti MbeweThe overwhelming feelings of nostalgia, wonder and awe flood the senses in dislocated joints of visual cacophony when you enter the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN) and the Franco-Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC) to witness the stunning display of art at this year’s University of Namibia Visual Arts Graduates Exhibition.

The exuberating collection of pieces from students studying Art for advertising, ceramic studies, creative expression, fashion studies and textiles studies line the galleries with various works of art standing out while others blend into the bleakness of curiosity calling for a closer and more detailed exploration of the artist’s intention.

Concepts range from water conservation, futurism and reuniting the idea of the coadunation of artistry and love with pieces by art for advertising student Teddy Mmasi, textiles studies student Fallon Tambwe and creative expression student Kabo Segotsa standing out the most.

Mmasi’s piece, displayed at the FNCC, showcased a visual advert shot at the Penduka Centre, Goreagab Dam in Katurura while Tambwe’s first collection of pieces at the FNCC drew on futuristic nuances while her second collection at NAGN inspired a nexus of complex daydreams about what life could be like underwater. Segotsa however illustrated feverishly colourful pieces including one entitled ‘Anxiety’ that conjured up visions of what Radiohead’s frontman, Thom Yorke, could have possibly been thinking about when he wrote the song ‘Hearing Damage’.

Spread out in an indigo haze were eight pieces by Monamati Beku that depicted the structural weaving of rural life and the realised consciousness of Christian influences on wedding ceremonies. The spirit of Keith Haring’s 1980s artwork made its way into the work of Ndaxuwaelao Shilamo who showcased six pieces with ‘Superstitious’ channelling heavily from the late artist’s New York City street culture inspired illustrations.

The hovering redness of Minka Greeff’s crocheted creative expression project exploring themes of feminism and all things woman hung boldly in the mist of carefully scattered abstract performance pieces including one by Denithia Oarum entitled ‘Golddigger’.

Although some pieces did little to entice the viewer and failed to evoke any feelings of internal dialogue or reflection, the exhibition showcased what the collective body of students were capable of. For some, with more time and dedication, their artwork could transcend beyond the ordinary blandness of mediocrity and pierce into the limitless skies of creativity.

This eight-day exhibition highlighted Namibia’s artists to watch while simultaneously allowing some students the opportunity to restructure their art and their approach in a way that will make for a dynamic and impactful future in the ever-dilating sphere of the Namibian art scene.

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