Day To Day solo exhibition: soul of the son of the soil
Final day for solo exhibition at the National Art Gallery
Title: Day to Day
Date: Saturday, 02 June 2016
Time: 09:00 to 14:00
Venue: National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN)
Entry: FreeThis Saturday is the last opportunity to view the current solo exhibition at the National Art Gallery in Windhoek. The son of the soil that was born in Ombome, a small village in the North, Ismael Shivetu will be celebrating the last day of his solo exhibition “Day To Day” at the National Art Gallery of Namibia on Saturday.
The artist who was born a year before Independence enjoyed making toys for himself and his friends when he was a child. He attended short workshops after he matriculated which encouraged him to study further. He applied at the College of Arts the following year, where he completed his three-year diploma in Product Development in the Department of Visual Arts in 2010.
Since then Shivute took part in many exhibitions both in Namibia and abroad. Internationally Shivute’s work has been shown in Berlin and Kuunzelsau in Germany and in Nottingham in the UK.
The last body of works made by Shivute is based on depictions of his community drawing images from the area in which he lives. He said these images are not only about his surrounding but also made out of his surroundings. With diverse materials he found at hand, the artist captured both the spirit and the tangibility of his world.
“As an artist I am only inspired by my environment, recycled or used materials and the feel of things made by hand. I attempt to inspire those who look at my work with my innovation, creativity and the practicality of the methods I use to make the work. I feel that my art reflects a unique Namibian identity, as well as my own identity as a young artist struggling to survive in the world” stated Shivute.
“I always make use of recycled and found materials, mostly metals, cans and wires because they are locally available at no cost, but also because they reflect a distinction that I admire. This distinctive character is partly to do with the previous life that materials had. Its lovely rusty colour, malleability and also the texture make the artworks come to life and give them a wonderful sense of humour. My subject matter is often the survival of some people in the informal settlements in Windhoek, in which they live in a small and harsh environment” he said.
The exhibition is coming to an end after it ran for a month. The works are a mixture of Arts and Culture, Community, Education, Existence and Shopping. It is also suitable for children.
