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‘Oh, My Goodness!’ at the Bellhaus


HEIDI Louw’s compelling characters look out over E-Tunga Studio’s take on traditional ceramics in ‘Oh, My Goodness!’, their joint exhibition currently on display at Bellhaus Atelier & Galerie.

Featuring a selection of paintings by Louw and a collection of candelabras, vases and bowls by the Eenhana-based studio and art school founded by artist Elisia Nghidishange, ‘Oh, My Goodness!’ brings the two female artists together in an arresting exploration of technique, portraiture and authenticity.

Though Louw and Nghidishange met practically on the eve of their shared vernissage, the Bellhaus’ curators fancy the duo a great fit.

Both more behind-the-scenes than regularly and visibly on the art scene and described as humble, raw, real and unpretentious, Louw and Nghidishange both create as a matter of compulsion rather than as an attempt to garner fame and a great fortune.

“I would say I paint because I actually have a desire to create in a specific medium with paint on canvas, acrylic or oil,” says Louw, who is largely self-taught but was raised in an artistic family. “If I don’t paint, I’m not happy.”

Both engaged in teaching art, Louw at Swakopmund and Nghidishange at Eenhana. Nghidishange feels the same about her artistry but also hopes to impart knowledge through her solo offerings.

“I want to be a full-time artist and create works, says Nghidishange. “It’s not only that I’m creating to make money. I’m creating to make a statement and to express myself.”

Regarding E-Tunga Studio, which teaches basic art to over 50 students at Nghidishange’s home town, the artist hopes to secure funding to continue building the region’s arts community.

“If anybody wants to fund my art, I’ll be happy because, as an artist, you also want to eat but that won’t stop me from creating art. But when it comes to my studio, there is [a time] when we are talking about funding,” says Nghidishange, who finances the studio from her own pocket.

“E-Tunga Studio is not me. It’s me and the community. I created it for the kids, for the community and for people to come and study basic art and we need material for that.”

Drawing on the earthy tones and imperfect shapes of the traditional ceramics created in local village settings, E-Tunga Studio’s collection in ‘Oh, My Goodness!’ highlights the studio’s experimentation with more modern takes on old forms.

Louw, on the other hand, pares down some elements of modernity and offers the antithesis to the picture-perfect portraits of the Instagram-era.

“I do not paint people from a specific reference, but it normally turns out that they are not pretty people or perfect posing people,” says Louw.

“I like to show character in the portraits. They don’t tick all the boxes of how we are almost expected to look these days, according to magazines or social media. I’m not influenced by that,” she says.

“Although they do not look perfect, they are still happy, content people. The concern of the exhibition can be that it’s important for people to feel that they belong and that you don’t need to conform to be a well-adapted person.”

Harking back to traditional roots and standing in contrast to the goal of perfection of the contemporary, ‘Oh, My Goodness!’ unites two unlikely yet excellent art fellows to interesting effect through sage curation and confident juxtaposition.

“It’s beautiful work. We started creating without meeting or talking to each other. I never even saw Heidi’s work until the exhibition opening, but to me it looks like we have met each other before,” says Nghidishange of Louw.

“Although we don’t know each other, I think we were a very good combination and I very much enjoyed exhibiting with her. I can see that she is climbing the ladder very quickly. She is a very artistic lady,” says Louw of Nghidishange.

“I think people should come to the exhibition just to enjoy art,” Louw says. “It’s good for the soul.”

‘Oh, My Goodness!’ will be on display at Bellhaus Atelier & Galerie (18 Bell Street) until 8 October.

[email protected]; Martha Mukaiwa on Twitter and Instagram; marthamukaiwa.com





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