Using real-life experiences, including his own story, as the bases of his work, visual artist Hage Mukwenje presents ‘Soul Speech’, which opened on 8 November and ends on 25 November at the Namibian Arts Association. 

The Okalongo-born Mukwenje, who is known for starting and finishing a painting in less than a few minutes, spent an entire year with this latest project and describes the process as “soul searching of wisdom of the past, present and future”. 

The well-travelled Mukwenje further defines ‘Soul Speech’ as “infinite lessons of laughter, tears, joy and pain embraced by the heart and mind, intertwined and delivered through experience”. 

The theme of headphones resonates with the artist’s appeal for us to “listen to our souls”. 

According to the NAA, the opening was well attended, better than any event they have ever hosted, with a mix of young, black elite and creatives as well as international guests. 

An artist’s walkabout took place on Thursday during which  Mukwenje took guests through his design and painting processes.