WINDHOEK– Well-known Namibian artist, Alpheus Mvula, is showcased his art work at the Gathemann Restaurant here at his 28th solo exhibition.
Alpheus has chosen to focus on the paintings of kings Nehale and Shikongo, both Aandonga kings who fought Afrikaner trekkers and German colonial forces, and welcomed missionaries from Finland to Namibia respectively. Aandonga kings mainly because both pieces demonstrate power and heritage, especially since the kings are a pivotal part of Namibian history. The art pieces that stood out to me were the paintings unveiling cattle herds, illustrating cattle silhouette that are in a field in the midst of orange, red and yellow background, which may represent cattle feeding in the field in a sunset or dry climate. The art exhibition is showcasing paintings with a warm and earthy tones consisting of red, brown, blue hues and white marble sculptures.
The technique which Mvula used for the paintings is called “cardboard print”, which is recognizable among Namibian artists. Alpheus has a signature style that comes from drawing inspiration from cattle, seeing that most of the art pieces has some sort of cattle manifestation. He says that having a “signature style” sets his art apart from other artists. Growing up in an Oshiwambo household, his father had a large herd of cattle, which his father always took pride in taking care of. This inspired Alpheus in his drawings. It was great to see variation in his display with stone cravings inspired by livestock as well as a cravings sum of a woman’s body showing the body transforming in a head of cows. The exhibition is on until the end of this month.