Oranjemund artists explore colour, clay, motherhood

An exploration of colour, love letters written in Orange River clay, and a rumination on the fruit of the womb is currently on display at the ‘OMDis Artists in Residence’ exhibition in Windhoek.

Making its way from the southern town to the Namibian Arts Association, the exhibition presents the work of Edeltraut Rath, Kevlyn Gowases and Hildegard Titus.

The three artists were invited to create at Oranjemund Art Centre’s communal studio between 30 April and 31 May, and the exhibition is a showcase of their output during the residency.

For Rath, who is based in Bremen, inspiration was found in the hues of her surroundings. Particularly fascinated by the Strelitzia plant outside her guest house and additionally by the desert landscapes on the way to Oranjemund and the colour gradients of the town’s sky, Rath’s residency culminated in a selection of paintings recalling these elements and scenes.

“Being so close to the sky here is truly inspiring,” says Rath in her artist statement.

“Ultimately, my studio work focused solely on abstract colour gradients and overlays. The form receded into the background; the play with colours and their transitions became the central theme of my creative exploration.”

Also inspired by the natural world, Gowases found both material and muse at the Orange River. The young artist’s offering features stoneware wind chimes, textured earthenware pinch pots and ceramic jewellery in the earthy tones of the river banks, as well as more delicate raku-fired ceramics.

“This body of work marks an exploration of both process and place. My process was rooted in experience and reflection, as I sought to express myself and let Oranjemund’s energy express itself in my work,” says Gowases in her artist statement.

“Much of my inspiration came from the workshops I led, where I taught the fundamentals of hand building through pinch pots. I was also drawn to the wild Orange River clay. Incorporating it through streaking techniques, utilising river clay slip with local dune sand for texture and bead-making that celebrated its raw, exploratory quality.”

To Titus, the residency offered an opportunity to delve into an examination of fertility, motherhood and reproductive autonomy through installation, film and photography. Titled ‘Fruit of her Womb’, Titus’ presentation was the highlight of the showing in its pertinent themes, striking artworks and engaging treatment.

“‘Fruit of her Womb’ is an exploration into the idea that children are fruit borne from 2 / 2 women, and how our ability to birth children weighs a lot on our identity,” says Titus in a statement.

“In some cases, young women are forced to abandon their playfulness and childlike essence to endure motherhood, despite themselves also being children at heart.”

Linking ideas of identity, piety, purity, duty and womanhood to Christian and Hindu mythology as well as to contemporary society, Titus presents a layered visual investigation that considers what it means to have the potential to bear children, to exist as women without that potential and to navigate expectations and judgement either way.

The exhibition, which is on until 29 August, additionally features portraits of the artists in residence by Mia Engelbrecht, a photographer and facilitator of the OMDis Artists Residency.

A worthwhile retreat that includes artist-in-residence masterclasses and the opportunity to immerse in one’s craft, the OMDis Town Transform Agency continues to offer much-needed platforms for local artists while underscoring Oranjemund as an up-and-coming Namibian arts hub.

– martha@namibian.com.na; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com

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