In Lok Kandjengo’s ‘Master Mind’, the artist’s passions are clear.
The industrious, village-dwelling women rendered reverentially in linoleum prints. Vintage cars, trucks and tractors on farms and astride corrugated shacks in the township, an ode to his mechanic father. The hungry, stressed, despairing youth battling homelessness and a lack of purpose in bold and stylised cardboard prints.
Kandjengo’s third solo exhibition following ‘Ekondombolo’ (2013) and ‘Multifarious’ (2015), ‘Master Mind’ sees Kandjengo solidifying his position as a printmaker and young artist of note.
With ‘Ekondombolo’ chosen as the National Art Gallery of Namibia’s artwork of the month and his work held in permanent collections in Namibia and abroad, the Oshakati-born John Muafangejo Art Centre and College of the Arts alumnus is a printmaker considering his eight years of printmaking with pride.
“’Master Mind’ is another way of expressing my art to the world,” says Kandjengo. “It’s about showing the world what I have mastered while showcasing what is on the mind of the master.”
Inspired by his environment, traditions, culture, origins and identity, Kandjengo’s work often harks back to the rural scenes of his youth in which women are outlined in great detail as elders, mothers and friends keeping each other company on the long road.
“’Master Mind’ is about our culture. We should never forget where we come from and always stay close to our roots,” says Kandjengo. “We should respect our elders, visit them and live according to their words of wisdom and guidance. Our homes are full of wonderful people and we should cherish their hard work and love them.”
Describing art as his passion since childhood and a way for him to put his life in order, for Kandjengo, art is also a way for him to connect with his community.
“Art has brought me together with many different artists but also like-minded people,” he says. “While my companions such as the Ghetto Soldiers Petrus Amuthenu, Salinde Willem and Justus Shaanika think along similar lines, we come from different regions and walks of life. So for me art is also bringing people together in a joint passion.”
With innovation and creativity as his driving forces to work tirelessly day and night, Kandjengo believes art gives him the courage to educate, communicate and empower.
“I believe such passion in art can motivate young Namibians to find not only meaning in what they do but also self-esteem and meaning in life,” says Kandjengo who urges the youth to work hard, create employment and stop waiting for the government to give them jobs. “Art can help them like it helps me to make a living.”
Enthused by the wealth of creative potential in young Namibians, Kandjengo aspires to have a huge studio space to accommodate, teach and share his ideas with the young because, after all, “there are many masterminds out there”.
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.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
