By Margo Forster
WINDHOEK
“Burning Issue” is the title of an exhibition that started last night at the UNAM Gallery by Samuel Amunkete, who was born at Iikango Omulonga in Oshikoto Region.
His first qualification was a Basic Education Teaching Diploma from the University of Namibia. From 1992 to 2002 he was employed as a teacher at the Pukulukeni Primary School in Ondangwa in northern Namibia.
Standard Bank Bursaries supported his further study of a BA degree majoring in Textiles and Three Dimensional Studies at the University of Namibia from 2004 to 2006. Amunkete’s art career includes participation in eight professional group exhibitions. These include representation of Namibia in Germany and Finland.
He has received numerous awards including the highly commended and excellence awards at the Standard Bank Bienalles of 1997 and 2005 respectively. At present he is employed as an Art Education Officer at the Ministry of Youth, National Services, Sports and Culture.
The ARTWORK on display was completed for Samuel Amunkete’s 4th year course in 3-Dimensional Studies in the Visual Arts Department in 2006 with Professor H Viljoen. Amunkete works in multiple media, with drawings and paintings sometimes forming part of his intricate sculptures and installations.
This body of work engages in critical reflection on the education system in Namibia. To do so the artist has transformed schoolbooks, chairs and desks into symbolic representations of decay.
The Visual Culture programme at the University of Namibia includes a module VPC 3201/2201 Curation and Critique. Since its inception in 2004 this course has aimed at equipping students with experience in the organisation and curation of exhibitions. This exhibition was organised and curated by UNAM Visual Arts Department students studying Curation & Critique with Ms M Timm Forster. The curators of this exhibition were: Arnaud Arends, Lynette Diergardt, Golda Ha-Eiros, Louisa Klukowski, Namupelo Moyo, Sarah T Namandje, Tsatago //Garoeb and Oshoveli Shipoh with input by Francina Ndjendjela.
The main considerations in the curation of this exhibition were:
1. Including all works produced in this study.
2. Ensuring that the means of presentation would be neutral to not be in conflict with the artworks.
3. Contextualising the artworks and the student project through an exhibition title and exhibition texts.
4. Provision of labels for all works.
5. Providing stability through a symmetrical arrangement.
6. Designing invitations, posters and Internet announcements.
7. Preparation for the opening.