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12 Contemporary Artists to Watch in Namibia and Zambia

12 Contemporary Artists to Watch in Namibia and Zambia

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Namibia and Zambia have artistic traditions that span thousands of years. Both are recent players in the global contemporary art scene as interest mounts globally to invest in African art. These are some artists whose voices make them standouts.

Sources: Afreaka.com.br, AllAfrica.com, AndrewMulenga.Blogspot.com, Bethanien.de, WatermillCenter.org, Chaminuka.com, The Extraordinary Project/Facebook, EnockIlunga.com, MobilityintheMargins.Blogspot.com, UKZambians.co.uk, NAGN.org.na, WorldEventYoungArtists.com, AllAfrica.com, HighBeam.com, PanaPress.com

"Sisters," Inatu Indongo Flickr.com
“Sisters,” Inatu Indongo
Flickr.com

Inatu Indongo (Namibia)

Inatu Indongo is the first black woman to display her work at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. Her collage style blends multimedia art and painting. Her first solo exhibition, “How It Feels For A Girl,” is a tribute to all the people in her life. In interviews, she has attributed her art to self-exploration, self-healing, and an attempt to pursue challenges and avoid the easy way out.

"Tree and the Shepherd," Stary Mwaba Lusaka.diplo.de
“Tree and the Shepherd,” Stary Mwaba
Lusaka.diplo.de

Stary Mwaba (Zambia)

As a peer counselor, Stary Mwaba taught HIV/AIDS prevention with drawings and evolved his brand into art that earns international acclaim. He still has an urge to educate through art, and to examine historical events as they relate to the present. Mwaba is frustrated that the art world tries to pigeonhole his work into an ethnocentric stereotype. He is often asked to participate in African-themed exhibitions that he says limit his creative scope. “Am I an African artist or an artist from Africa?” he said.

Source: HyperAllergic.com

AllEvents.ie
AllEvents.ie

Ismael Shivute (Namibia)

Ismael Shivute is a newer entrant to the contemporary art scene. His work, “Day-to-Day,” is on display at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. Inspired by nature, he often uses recycled or found materials like metal and wire to reflect on his Namibian identity. Shivute’s subjects are often Namibian animals, people, and their environments.

"Spirit," Flinto Chandia AfricanArtAgenda.Tumblr.com
“Spirit,” Flinto Chandia
AfricanArtAgenda.Tumblr.com

Flinto Chandia (Zambia)

Chandia is one of Zambia’s most renowned sculptors. Raised by a traditional potter mother and a father who carved fishing canoes, Chandia focused on the elegant wood and stone sculptures he is known for. He mentors budding artists in Zambia.

Textile art, Sara Nekomba BBC.co.uk
Textile art, Sara Nekomba
BBC.co.uk

Sara Nekomba (Namibia)

Nekomba’s multimedia style incorporates beads, textiles and collages to depict traditional dances of the Ndonga people and the drum music and excitement that flows through them. Nekomba is especially focused on how her art relates to women. She shares her creative skills in isolated communities.

"Hunters," Enock Ilunga
“Hunters,” Enock Ilunga

Enock Ilunga (Zambia)

Ilunga’s semi-abstract style represents the commotion of daily life that surrounds him. He is also known for his sculptures of scrap metal, some displayed in public spaces in Lusaka. His oil paintings often appear to be a chaos of color at first glance, but soon human forms – his favorite subjects – emerge that have attitude and emotions.

Landscape, David Amukoto ImagoMundiArt.com
Landscape, David Amukoto
ImagoMundiArt.com

David Amukoto (Namibia)

Amukoto is a multitalented artist and sculptor who uses cardboard and wood prints. Traditional childhood stories told to him by his grandparents inspire his work, and he aims to represent African traditions that have begun to lose hold in modern society. His art is a representation of his community’s cultural heritage, developed to both reinterpret and strengthen its traditions.

Zikoma.at
Zikoma.at

Simon Kaluba (Zambia)

One of the younger entrants in Zambia’s art scene, Simon Kaluba has an abstract style that seems to blend indigenous and foreign painting traditions. With explosive colors and stylistic techniques, Kaluba has created a brand of art completely his own. In an interview, he said, “I am very imaginative when I experiment with what’s happening behind a mixture of colors…I draw inspiration from my grandfather. He is a great painter. But I also like reading books of art on Picasso…he inspires me a lot.”

Source: UKZambians.co.uk

Republikein.com.na
Republikein.com.na

Erik Schnack (Namibia)

Schnack is an award-winning artist and lecturer at the College of the Arts in Namibia, helping hone the talents of the country’s up-and-coming artists. His metal and wood pieces often reflect traditional African and Oceanic themes.

Source: PanaPress.com

"Chew Gum," Caleb Chisha AndrewMulenga.Blogspot.com
“Chew Gum,” Caleb Chisha
AndrewMulenga.Blogspot.com

Caleb Chisha (Zambia)

Chisha’s sees his art as a religion, often portraying daily rituals. His work has been influenced by his African roots, and he often depicts the culture and traditions of African daily life. His surroundings have a profound impact on the way that he sees the world.

"Papa," Ndasuunje Shikongeni GunsandRain.com
“Papa,” Ndasuunje Shikongeni
GunsandRain.com

Ndasuunje Shikongeni (Namibia)

Ndasuunje Shikongeni was a student of Joseph Madisia, one of the first prominent papier-mâché sculptors in Namibia. Shikongeni developed his own style and is credited with a now-renowned type of printmaking that exudes youthful energy. He has been known to make political statements with his work and link to his Oshiwambo roots.

"Fisher Boys," Vincent Maonde AndrewMulenga.Blogspot.com
“Fisher Boys,” Vincent Maonde
AndrewMulenga.Blogspot.com

Vincent Maonde (Zambia)

Maonde’s paintings often depict women and children in rural Zambia. He did not grow up in rural settings, but was inspired to paint them after he became a keeper of anthropology at the Livingstone National Museum and got to travel to remote villages.