Veteran visual artist Papa Shikongeni is currently showcasing his ‘Creativity Within Oneness’ exhibition and hosting a collage-making workshop at Swakopmund.
The body of work is on display at the Woermannhaus Art Gallery until 12 May.
The collection offers visitors a spiritual tour of Shikongeni’s inner world, combining past experiences with present emotions through texture, layers, and symbolic narrative.
One such piece is titled ‘Drumming Horns’. It captures the rhythm of both music and heritage, and that of an ancestral messenger.
Another unique art piece is ‘Nurtured Eyes of Love’, which speaks volumes on the power of love and human relationships, and the role of eyes as symbols of care and affection.
In ‘Give Thanks and Praises’, Shikongeni takes his audience to the spiritual realm by paying tribute to God and emphasising the close relationship of humans with nature.
“From the onset, my art practice was concerned with textures, layers and stories. I am not shy at all to revisit some of my older works and turn them into something totally new,” he says.
The artist says his art involves tearing apart the prints from his old lino cuts and making new prints from the cuttings.
“This isn’t destruction, it’s reincarnation. I recycle parts of my past and create new life out of them. This process is about unity, transformation and growth,” he says.
Shikongeni says he creates without prior planning.
“I don’t create sketches beforehand. Instead, I let the art lead me, listening to the energy coming from the prints until it harmonises itself,” he says.
The exhibition has proven impressive to its visitors, who hail it for being both visually striking and profound.
Michael Thompson, an art enthusiast at Swakopmund, describes the exhibition as influential.
“The art speaks volumes. It conveys so much emotion and honesty. It provokes thoughts of identity and connectivity,” he says.
Apart from the exhibition, Shikongeni has arranged an ‘Evolve Within’ collage workshop at Swakopmund for 9 May.
The purpose of the workshop is to empower participants with the skills to create artworks which convey messages about themselves and the society they live in, using collage art.
“Basically, the workshop is all about encouraging people to create and share their story. Collage art doesn’t require any specific skills; it’s possible to create amazing works of art out of anything available,” Shikongeni says.
Apart from collage-making basics, including working with various media types, recycled materials, and layering techniques, attendees of the workshop will learn to use visual arts to highlight Namibian identity.
The event also aims to encourage discussion of social topics and help people get acquainted with the art world.
By combining the art show and workshop, Shikongeni gives the public an opportunity to participate in the creation process.
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