Flamingo - Art, Craft & Culture - ART dimensions July 2010
Old masters on view An exhibition from the Heritage Collection of works by Namibia’s most
outstanding old masters, Adolph JENTSCH and Fritz KRAMPE, in
collaboration with private collectors, will be exhibited until 30
November in the Lower Gallery of the National Art Gallery of Namibia.
Adolf Jentsch (1888–1977) found the ideal working climate in the then South-West Africa, his spirit responding to the vastness and silence of the desert landscape. Here the purity of space that figures so dominantly in Eastern mysticism was a tangible reality. His technique, too, reflects an Eastern influence. Painting in oil and watercolour, his most distinctive feature is his translation of space into an absolute entity, rendering void as significant as volume. It is the inherent quality rather than the factual appearance of the landscape that provides the content of all Jentsch's paintings.
Conversely, in the art of Fritz Krampe (1913–1966), life and death—violent, virile and unglamorous—were in complete accord. He was restless and rugged, unafraid of nature. He worked in a fury of intensity, compressing the virile power of his personality into the ink and wash, lithographic and oil artworks he produced. Preoccupied with the immediacy of life and death, he found his subjects in the more savage arenas of nature. But, despite the violence of many of his themes, his work is neither crude nor brutal. His watercolour sketches harness sensuous lines and tonal modulations within the virile forms.
Arts Association Heritage Trust Viewing hours: Tues–Fri: 8:00–17:00 Contact: Elize 081 275 0678, aaht@iway.na
Short Interview with Tony Figueira Flamingo What inspires you? Tony Mostly people—actually everything around me. I compose the world moment by moment, through a viewfinder. It really tickles me to compose in my mind, before the shutter is released.
Flamingo What are your likes? Tony Sushi, the music of Paulo Flores, the night call of a barking gecko.
Flamingo And your dislikes? Tony People who don’t commit to their word
Flamingo What are your favourite indulgences? Tony Family time and chocolate
Flamingo What do you collect? Tony I love collecting Namibian art, both for home and for Gallery 77
Tribute to a Namibian music legend “I feel like a man of man, tracking over the Kalahari. I feel like a man of man. I’m here to stay. I’m here to die.” Jackson Kaujeua
On 27 May, Namibian music legend, Jackson Muningandu Kaujeua (56), passed away after a long battle with kidney failure, leaving behind much more than his beloved Namib Desert sand.
A renowned musician, author, actor, comedian, narrator, teacher, traditional man, dancer and even catwalk model, Jackson was one of those people you remember once you’ve been graced with their presence.
With influences from musical genres such as jazz, blues, R & B and traditional Herero, Jackson created what others call ‘true Namibian music’. “But,” he often said, “while others might refer to my music as Namibian, I prefer to call it ‘Jackson Kaujeua’ music!”
As one of only a few who laid the musical foundations for young, upcoming Namibian artists, Jackson has travelled far and wide to represent Namibia through his music. “Moving around the world took me out of the Herero mentality, but also caused me to appreciate my country with its wide open spaces and interesting, diverse cultures so much more,” he said in an interview during 2009.
Jackson played his last official gig at the Parliament Gardens in Windhoek during Swapo’s 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner this year. A self-confessed ‘nature man’ who preferred tranquillity, silence and serenity above everything else, Jackson was buried at his favourite place, his plot at Ovitoto. He is survived by his five children.
He said in his autobiography, Tears over the Deserts, “I realise that I was not the only one to shed tears over our deserts. I hoped and prayed that the Almighty would grant all of us Freedom.” May he have died with this feeling of freedom in his heart.
Visit his website at www.nammusic.com.na Viewing hours: Tues–Fri: 8:00–17:00 Text and picture Marita van Rooyen
National ArtGallery of Namibia, Windhoek Solicit Condomon 2002 Erik Schnack
This mixed-media work by one of Namibia’s most talented young artists was part of an HIV/Aids awareness exhibition held at the NAGN some years ago. It comprises five wood panels assembled like a puzzle, for which Erik Schnack used wood, metal, painted cloth, screws and nails. The bottom left panel, a woodblock covered with metal pieces nailed into it, on which a male figure dressed in a blue condom with a female figure admiring him are painted, is highly suggestive. The Aids sign was made with cloth to balance the carved wooden hands with snakelike arms pointing in opposite directions, the tips of two fingers of one hand extending to the next panel. The bottom right panel reflects a desolate landscape consisting of rusted metal pieces nailed together. A crushed can representing a used condom is placed among randomly selected metal scraps. ‘Solicit Condomon’ is a thought-provoking work of art well worth seeing. www.nagn.org.na
Fashion Pambili Young Designers The Pambili Young Designers initiative is aimed at providing the ultimate platform for its member designers to market and trade their designer items. Their products can be described as being modern, innovative and timeless with a Namibian touch. Pambili always comes up with something new!
Pambili Young Designers, a voluntary association founded in July 2009, is one of Namibia’s most stylish local designer enterprises in Namibia’s fashion industry. Pambili's main objective is to assist Namibian designers to market their products on a national and international platform.
Pambili does not only design and market other designers' products; it also assists interested Young Designers with product development, allowing them to achieve unique Namibian, well-finished, quality products according to international standards.
Pambili's focus is currently on fashion, jewellery and fashion accessories. Pambili sells ready-to-wear clothing for both adults and children, fashion accessories such as high-quality leather handbags and jewellery, all made in Namibia by Namibian designers.
Pambili is situated in Windhoek at the old Breweries Complex, shop no 7 (next to the back entrance of the Nambia Craft Centre).
