Good And Bad In Art

I APPLAUD John Sampson for his “critical review’ column that appears every Friday and look forward to reading them.

It is a bold step taken both by Sampson and The Namibian newspaper. Sampson is suitably qualified and experienced enough to take on this task.I was surprised though to read Joseph Madisia’s letter (published Friday 23 March) in response to Sampson’s critical review on the artist Herman Mbamba.Madisia’s arguments are ’emotional’ (in my humble opinion) and seems to be based on the fact that Mbamba is a young black Namibian who now studies in Norway (a wonderful opportunity for any artist), as opposed to the quality of work submitted for this particular exhibition.And yes, I did go and see the works for myself.I have attended many of the exhibitions in this country over the past few years and have seen some wonderful work and also some very poor work.This is a fact.Whether the artists are black, white, self-taught or given the opportunity to study on foreign soil, an important consideration should always be the quality of the artwork.Sampson’s critical review on Mr Mbamba’s works WAS exactly that…a critical review! It was not based on Mbamba’s impending Master’s degree or the country in which he was born, it was based on the works he has submitted to the NAGN for exhibition.Period! Why is Madisia so defensive? All artists, particularly those living overseas, are subjected to critical reviews.Even the likes of Pollock, Rothko and Duchamp were not excluded in their time.This nation is beginning to mature and this should be embraced, not opposed.Mbamba’s work will surely evolve and mature as time generally allows, particularly given the opportunity he has to study overseas.Sampson’s review has in fact given Mbamba the kind of publicity many artists strive for and even seek and as a result more people may have gone along to see the work for themselves.This is the beauty of art.’Art Imitating Life’ Via e-mail Note: Name and address provided – EdSampson is suitably qualified and experienced enough to take on this task.I was surprised though to read Joseph Madisia’s letter (published Friday 23 March) in response to Sampson’s critical review on the artist Herman Mbamba.Madisia’s arguments are ’emotional’ (in my humble opinion) and seems to be based on the fact that Mbamba is a young black Namibian who now studies in Norway (a wonderful opportunity for any artist), as opposed to the quality of work submitted for this particular exhibition.And yes, I did go and see the works for myself.I have attended many of the exhibitions in this country over the past few years and have seen some wonderful work and also some very poor work.This is a fact.Whether the artists are black, white, self-taught or given the opportunity to study on foreign soil, an important consideration should always be the quality of the artwork.Sampson’s critical review on Mr Mbamba’s works WAS exactly that…a critical review! It was not based on Mbamba’s impending Master’s degree or the country in which he was born, it was based on the works he has submitted to the NAGN for exhibition.Period! Why is Madisia so defensive? All artists, particularly those living overseas, are subjected to critical reviews.Even the likes of Pollock, Rothko and Duchamp were not excluded in their time.This nation is beginning to mature and this should be embraced, not opposed.Mbamba’s work will surely evolve and mature as time generally allows, particularly given the opportunity he has to study overseas.Sampson’s review has in fact given Mbamba the kind of publicity many artists strive for and even seek and as a result more people may have gone along to see the work for themselves.This is the beauty of art.’Art Imitating Life’ Via e-mail Note: Name and address provided – Ed