Visual artist Ndakondjelwa Nghipandulwa’s latest artwork consisting of 25 836 nails is an eye-catching symbol of perfection, with the entrepreneur saying it is not yet finished.

He said this nail and string project, titled ‘Athena at 6’, is a personal one, and he intends on having a public discussion based on the topic of the artwork when it is safe to gather in small groups again.

The 32-year-old Nghipandulwa said he has been doing art for as long as he can remember, and decided to take it up as a career five years ago.

“I do visual art, using a variety of mediums like paintings, drawings, nails and string. This is something that is self-taught,” he told VIBEZ!

Thanks to social media, most of his clients see his work there and contact him.

“I just really enjoy doing it. It doesn’t feel like work. What motivates me is the desire to live the rest of my life like this. The response from the public has been overwhelming and amazing. I have been receiving a lot of praise and support.” 

Nghipandulwa said as far as he is aware art is respected in Namibia, and in his experience finds that to be true as he moves along navigating through the industry, and that’s why he continues to do it.

Born in Kwanza Sul, Angola, Nghipandulwa has been in Namibia since independence. He obtained a National Diploma in Civil Engineering and Project Management from the Namibia University of Science and Technology.

The art industry has been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and not many transactions are taking place due to prohibitions on gatherings, but Nghipandulwa hammers on.

The slow influx of tourists, who are some of the biggest buyers of local art, has also affected the way visual artists operate. Only time will tell when things will go back to “normal”.

- psiririka@nepc.com.na