WINDHOEK- The Namibia Business Innovation Centre continues its support of professional artist by hosting an exhibition at the centre.

The exhibition, themed.  A Silence in Time, opens at the Innovation Village next Thursday from  five O’clock in the afternoon to eight O’clock (17H30-20H00).

NBIC will exhibit artworks of Ndasuunje “Papa” Shikongeni, an internationally acclaimed Namibian artist. His talents include storytelling and he is a true leader and champion of Namibia’s post-independence arts education and culture.
Shikongeni uses materials such as wood and paper mache and incorporates new printing techniques in using cardboard, painting ink on paper and linoleum.

Papa’s work portrays different aspects of Namibian culture and tradition. “I use spiritual and the spoken word arts to promote freedom of self-expression and individual inner language; to highlight the importance of tradition and culture in economic and social development,” he says.

On the same evening, Papa will give a free lecture to teach the youth and  upcoming artists the importance of arts and crafts in community development.

He is committed to assist upcoming artists in overcoming the challenges of
the business side that any artist has to deal with; from selling the artworks to marketing their artwork on an (inter)national level.
Dagmar Honsbein, General Manager of NBIC, says one of the most important reasons for allowing artists to exhibit at the Innovation Village is to give the artists a platform to showcase their artwork.

Artists are some of the truest innovators and entrepreneurs there are and as NBIC we feel we should support them.

This way their artworks can be turned into profitable and  sustainable business endeavours. “NBIC is an ideal venue for visitors to see and buy artworks truly “Made in Namibian”.

We also encourage artists to start thinking as entrepreneurs, demonstrating that artists contribute to the economy of Namibia in a real and sustainable manner,” she explains.

This is the second exhibition to be held at the Innovation Village, after the successful showcasing of Gerdis Stadherr’s artwork.
Not only did people come to admire the art, but it was an opportunity to buy some of the paintings. Several paintings found new homes. Honsbein urges everyone to come and support our local artists.