Namibian creative artist and participant of the 2019 edition of the Biennale of Luanda, Ndasuunye PAPA Shikongeni told us about his artistic journey and about the role played by artists in the culture of peace.
We can’t live without art and culture, because that is our rhythm.
1. How did you become an artist?
I became an artist after returning from exile in Angola 1989, I went to my late grandma Kuku Panduleni Simeon and through her wisdom, she explained that when I was a little boy, I use to play by myself and never liked school. I was being creative by drawing on the ground (soil), singing and dancing a lot.
In 1993 I met with the well-known artist Mr. Joseph “Joe” Madisia and as he was one of the artists who use to design banners, posters and t-shirts for the SWAPO liberational party. He then mentored me through visual art cardboard print making technique at his house and at the Franco Namibia Cultural Centre (FNCC).
2. What role can art and artists play in the culture of peace in Africa?
Artists had and are already playing a major role in arts and culture, instrumental even during the liberation struggles in Africa, through visual arts, music and cultural dancing for peace and justice. Artists have been foot soldiers to educate, bring awareness on peace and unity in Africa. Arts and culture are the driving spirit of African leadership for self-Ubuntu. We need to act collectively as a humanness nation.
3. Does art necessarily have to be engaged?
We do not need to engage arts; we are art and art is us. We can’t live without art and culture, because that is our rhythm. We embrace and practice every sunrise and sunset by creating our crafts and performing.
4. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNESCO launched “ResiliArt”, a global movement aiming to raise public awareness on the issue of artists’ precarity. What could be done to support and empower artists (especially the young ones) during this particularly difficult period?
Firstly, as Africans we need to acknowledge that arts, culture and design is a job for artists, and it needs to be supported fully by equipping artists in the creative industry with equipment, studio space for sustainability. By that we can create a culture of job creation and economic development.
Collectively as Africans we need to propel the young ones of our continent to embrace their cultural heritage, norms and value towards our names, languages and believes. Therefore, we need to implement and develop a curriculum that emphases our craft arts and cultural heritage history in the educational system to ensure our wealth identity.
5. Despite the pandemic, do artistic events (biennales, exhibitions, festivals) continue in Namibia and more globally in Africa?
Despite the pandemic, one can never stop the expression of the creative industry, because artists are innovative and creative beings, that have been working in isolations within their respected spaces as studios and homes. Yes, artistic events continue as we are speaking, physically and through social platforms.
6. African Union’s 2021 Theme is “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa We Want”. It is a declaration at the continental level for member states to invest more resources in African culture and heritage to foster national and regional cohesion. How can cultural diversity and heritage be a source of breeding ground for peace?
Cultural diversity and heritage have been the source and breeding ground of the African Union and independence, through the liberation movements in Africa. Arts, culture and heritage are the positive tools to mobilize and liberate the society among our respective micro environment and countries. It's our African leaders that must bring back Mother Africa’s vision by implementing our arts and cultural independence.