Drawn to an eye-catching piece of a bleeding heart, pierced by arrows and blood dripping into a cyathus vinarius, this reporter approached the creator Frans Uunona to explain its meaning.
The painting is a replica of what people are going through, he said.
“I look at everyone as victims of the circulation of activities happening in different ways, whether in friendship or family. This portrays it, it is depicting different elements.”
“The roses represent people who are coming into your life. They appear to be sweet at first or at most times, but in the end – when they exit your life – they exit as arrows emanating from a crush, misunderstanding or fallout, and it is the moment you realise that person is not what you thought they were,” said Uunona.
In a candid interview on the sidelines of the recent Kasi Vibe Festival, where he was exhibiting and teaching people how to paint, he told VIBEZ! there is a lot of pain in the creation process, adding that the smoke resembles the exhaustion, “that deep breath”, and the wine glass filling up with blood represents those individuals who rejoice over other people’s miseries.“When they see other people down, they are usually happy that people are going through those tribulations,” he added.
The creator went on to say: “Nothing exists without art, and people should learn to appreciate it, and not look at artists as if we are beggars”. Uunona then urged people to not think they are doing them a favour when buying their art.
“I spend a lot of time working on one piece for months to see its perfection, and for someone to adore the artwork and be disappointed with the price, is quite disheartening.” People not willing to pay the price is thus devaluing the piece, and not appreciating the work of an artist.
“Art is not recognised in Namibia to the level that it should be. There is the constant interrogation of the price of art pieces. The material alone is expensive, the space to paint is another expense,” said the 32-year-old painter.
The prices of his pieces are determined by the time spent on it, materials, and “inspiration I deposit in my work, but I try my best to meet my clients halfway”.
Queried about his participation in Kasi Vibe, he said such platforms are what they as creatives need to expose their work to the masses.
“I was ecstatic when I was allowed to showcase at the Kasi Vibe Festival and present my work. I saw people who were surprised to see such artwork here. They were mostly looking forward to drinking and eating and clothes when they saw the artwork, and they saw something different,” he said.
Uunona, who has been a professional visual artist for 10 years, said he decided to engage in visual artistry because of the love he has for art. “I pursued visual arts because that is what I am good at. I love painting, I love creating. I feel like if I don’t create, I will go crazy. I was raised by a single mother, and my work is also partially inspired by that.” The College of the Arts’ graduate said his work is motivated by the world at large, activities and everything that happens around him. “I draw my energy from what’s happening around me. I find inspiration and create from that. My emotions also play a role in terms of comfort,” he shared.
His plans for the future involve going “international”.
“So far, I have been selling locally and internationally, but I want to take it there myself and represent my country and fellow artists. I see myself overseas.”
Uunona can be found at his studio at 35 Nelson Mandela Avenue in Klein Windhoek, 081 881 3449 or on his IG handle @fransuunona. - psiririka@nepc.com.na