The life and times of one of Namibia’s most celebrated visual artists, the late John Muafangejo, is being brought to life at the National Art Gallery (NAGN) this Saturday.

The ‘Narrating John Muafangejo’s story’ art exhibition celebrates his life, struggles and works of art that turned him into one of the most influential visual artists of his time.

The art pieces are part of the NAGN’s permanent collection and will be showcased in the lower gallery until 28 May 2022.

The gallery will also be hosting a dialogue event when discussions will be held with artists who knew and worked with the late Muafangejo.

“We are planning to showcase everything the gallery has in collection about John Muafangejo. To reclaim our identity through history, John Muafangejo is an iconic figure, and we are trying to tell a story on what he was and envision what he would have hoped for and what African art would have looked like,” said Desiree Nanuses, the curator of the gallery.

The exhibition aims to ensure Muafangejo’s legacy is not forgotten.

Recently, his piece ‘Zimbabwe House’, a 1975 linocut print, chronicling the ambitions and struggles of Muafangejo, was the star lot of Strauss & Co’s online sale African Lion: John Muafangejo Works from the Orde Levinson Collection.

The linocut, a masterful example of this acclaimed Namibian printmaker’s skilled combination of figural subjects and autobiographical text, was the subject of intense bidding and eventually sold for N$410 375 – a new world record for the artist.

Muafangejo was born on 5 October 1943 in Etunda lo Nghadi, Angola, and died on 27 November 1987 in Katutura, Windhoek.

He sadly did not live to see Namibia gain its independence, but he lived through the struggle for independence, which influenced many of his works, as he still today remains one of Africa’s best-loved artists. 

His work powerfully depicts people and events expressed in black and white imagery, often combining text with images and containing references to the history and culture of Namibia.

Through his life experiences, living on the border between Namibia and Angola, Muafangejo used the medium of the linocut to address the region’s history of conflict and the daily tribulations and aspirations of his people.

His linocuts take the forms and scenes of everyday life from people in both rural and urban environments that were around him.

Some of his artworks to be exhibited include: ‘Hope and Optimism’, which became recognised internationally as Muafangejo’s message of symbolising hope and optimism, which inspired many artists and projects around the world.

Muafangejo began exhibiting his works internationally as early as 1968. 

There are three rooms devoted to him in the National Art Gallery of Namibia.

-  ashikololo@nepc.com.na

Legacy… One of several artworks by the late John Muafangejo on display at the National Art Gallery of Namibia from 11 December 2021 to 28 May 2022. Photo: Contributed