Kandjengo’s ‘Ekondombolo’ is NAGN’s artwork of the month

YOUNG Namibian visual artist Lok Kandjengo was born at Oshakati in 1988. He is a member of the collective art group ‘Ghetto Soldier’, which held its first group exhibition in February 2013 at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN).

His print masterpieces, which include ‘Ekondombolo’, are housed in the NAGN permanent collection. Kandjengo’s artistic inspiration is influenced by the environment in northern Namibia showing remembrance, and evoking the past from the environment where he grew up.

Kandjengo joined the John Muafangejo Art Centre in 2007 and completed his stint there in 2009, later joining the College of the Arts (Cota) where he graduated with a diploma in visual arts in 2011.

‘Ekondombolo’, which means rooster in Kandjengo’s vernacular Oshiwambo, is a symbol of early morning hours in the village. The artwork portrays a proudly standing , standing tall with its head raised in the air, with its background decorated with an Oshiwambo traditional basket which women use to serve food in the homestead as well as the wire fence that symbolises territory and boundaries.

The rules the entire domestic hens within the boundaries of the homestead. The artist uses ox blood reds, warm oranges and earthy browns, depicting the that takes honour in the sun rising, perched with its head and chest up high in waking up the people in the village.

Kandjengo describes ‘Ekondombolo’ as more than just a normal domestic bird – it unifies, it’s a warrior, a desirable bird that is an important part of everyday village life. ‘Ekondombolo’ signifies power and strength, therefore every homestead in northern Namibia has one.

Kandjengo is highly influenced by early pioneers of cardboard print in the country, Joseph Madisia, Ndasuunje ‘Papa’ Shikongeni and Andrew van Wyk. Kandjengo participated in many collaborative exhibitions and will be exhibiting his solo ‘Master Mind’ tomorrow, 5 April at the NAGN.

– NAGN

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