Staff Reporter
31 October 2008
This year's Unam (University of Namibia) student art exhibition, entitled Art Ascending, will officially be opened next Tuesday by Professor Mbongeni Malaba of the English Department, it was announced in a press statement.
The exhibition shows the visual results of a packed and challenging academic year incorporating diverse curriculum and outreach activities.
Results of an exceptionally high standard were achieved this year, including an exciting range of fashion accessories and garments, industry oriented textiles and advertising products, paintings, drawings, sculptures and installations.
The exhibition opens on November 4 at 19h00 and runs until November 16. The selection of artworks represents an overview of the six major disciplines offered by The Visual Arts Section of the newly formed Visual & Performing Arts Department. Apart from encouraging creative proficiency, the department accentuates a theoretical foundation in both Western and African visual culture, and an entrepreneurial application to the Namibian arts industry.
Reflecting departmental policy, social interest is an important motivation in the works of the students, which promise to provide the visitor with thought-provoking challenges. The exhibition thus incorporates interesting approaches to important social issues of the day.
In addition to the exhibition at the NAGN, final-year students' work will be presented to external moderators in the Unam Campus Gallery. Interested visitors are invited to obtain this exhibition schedule from the contact persons below.
Highlights of this year include: Tulipamwe was registered as a Trust under the auspices of the Department, and held a very successful international artists' workshop at Okombahe in August. The project was supported by local and international sponsors and partners.
A photography workshop with senior students was offered by Frederic Pothin and Laurent Zitte from La Reunion in August 2008, a visit sponsored by the FNCC and Unam.
Two fashion students from Germany worked in the department during the second semester to share new techniques with Unam students. They were sponsored by P.art.ners Berlin-Windhoek.
The first Fulbright scholar to join the department is Hannah Naomi Kim from Washington, who has been actively involved in discussions and presentations in the department while she also worked towards a solo exhibition, shown at the FNCC and the Unam Art Gallery.
A fourth year student, Felicia Swartz was awarded second prize for her sculpture/installation entitled A Gift of a Different Kind, at the first Bank Windhoek Triennale, held at the NAGN in September.
A number of senior students and ex-students were commissioned by the Development Bank of Namibia to create all the artworks for their new premises. This very successful industry-related project was launched in cooperation with the department.
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