John Muafangejo Season Art, Archivism and Activism

John Muafangejo’s name is one that instantly prompts reverence. Distinct in his black and white prints depicting history, culture, memories, people and significant events, the internationally-acclaimed visual artist did not live to see the freedom beyond the liberation struggle regularly depicted in his work but remains an enigmatic figure; oft studied, imitated and feted.

To honour his incredible legacy, the John Muafangejo Art Centre, in partnership with the National Art Gallery of Namibia, presented the ‘John Muafangejo Season’. A week long community engagement project featuring a series of articulation sessions and ongoing exhibitions.

Reflecting on Muafangejo’s continued influence in the arts community and the country at large, the three sessions began with a look back before engaging with the present in a visual discussion of the artist as activist. The final session presented by Wits University’s Gabi Ngcobo, UCT’s Memory Biwa and Zimbabwe’s Robert Machiri offered insight into post-colonial curation through the presentation of an archival sound collection from both Namibia and Zimbabwe at the Katutura Community Arts Centre.

Described by JMAC project manager Jacques Mushaandja as an opportunity to “begin a critical community conversation about the Muafangejo subject and the uncertainties and potentials around it” while engaging and networking with “practitioners from the region about how art, archives and activism intersect in Muafangejo and beyond”, two of the season’s exhibitions are still on display: The NAGN’s ‘Muafangejo: Memory and Activism’ and South African artist Nyakallo Maleke’s ‘Leaning Towards an End That Does Not Leak,’ an exhibition at the JMAC gallery at the Old Breweries.

While the former is an NAGN and Arts Association Heritage Trust selection of Muafangejo works recalling the then new archbishop Desmond Tutu, the death of his mother and an interview at UCT interspersed with images of war, the village and Adam and Eve; the latter is an installation which picks up on Muafangejo’s themes of storytelling and activism.

With the exhibition title and a coin and marula oil piece inspired by Neshani Andreas’ ‘The Purple Violet of Oshaantu’ (2001), Maleke primarily uses Namibia’s natural resource of salt scattered on the floor, burying rolling pins and a large sheet of plastic to consider issues of wealth and labour with the substance connoting sweat, cleansing and even the colour of those who benefit most handsomely from its processing.

Having first encountered Muafangejo in a high school visual art text book, Maleke was drawn to him as a storyteller.

“He narrated his life’s experiences, and in the subtlest of ways, his works were political in how he addressed life at home, his career and his religion. He was socially aware and conscious of his surroundings and, for me, the social commentary is still necessary and profound,” says Maleke.

Lamenting a lack of engagement, works that are out of touch with reality and that which is made solely for purchase by tourists, Maleke hopes that many more artists in both South Africa and Namibia will create from within a culture of activism.

“We need to constantly remind ourselves that we need to speak truth and art is an opportunity for the truth to be spoken. It should be used as a tool to offer alternative truths and break down singular narratives by dominant figures,” says Maleke.

“Even though our leaders live comfortably in the luxury of their homes, a large majority remains affected by poverty, alcohol abuse, violence and inequality. Our systems constantly have to be challenged, not just personally, but in every way or form.”

‘Leaning Towards an End That Does Not Leak’ and ‘Muafangejo: Memory and Activism’ will be on display at the JMAC gallery and the NAGN until 5 November.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.