Stonemen Catalogue by BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie

about the exhibition

The Stonemen – Flint and Friends in Kaokoland is a fine art exhibition exploring the mystique of Namibia’s mysterious stone statues scattered across the remote wilderness of Kaokoland. Paired with the launch of Ron Swilling’s book of the same name, this event delves into the profound connection between these enigmatic figures, their environment, and humanity’s relationship with nature. Swilling’s book tells the story of Flint Firestone’s journey through northwestern Namibia’s vast deserts, encountering the silent Stonemen who reflect on Earth’s needs and humanity’s stewardship. These figures, though solitary, inspire a sense of unity between humankind and the natural world.

The exhibition complements this narrative with tranquil artworks by Jacquie Tarr and captivating photography by Jason Nott. Tarr’s pieces, created using charcoal, acrylic, and conté, capture the statues’ resilience and their elemental surroundings. Her work conveys the contrast between the statues' quiet presence and the dramatic vastness of Kaokoland. “The Stonemen challenge us to see the beauty in solitude and the power of nature’s scale,” Tarr explains.

Jason Nott’s photography brings viewers directly into the rugged terrain the Stonemen inhabit. His images reveal the harmony between the statues and their environment, emphasising their enduring strength. “Each Stoneman tells a story shaped by its unique location,” Nott reflects. His work celebrates the beauty of Kaokoland while drawing attention to its fragile balance.

The Stonemen – Flint and Friends in Kaokoland is both a visual and narrative journey, inviting visitors to experience the statues' quiet wisdom, the raw allure of Kaokoland, and the urgent need to reconnect with the natural world.

about ron swilling

I was inspired by my father, a creative man, who wrote several short stories and a book about experiences in his early twenties that shaped his life. He planted a seed that sproutedandgrewandgrewintoagreatbigleafytree.My loveforwritingledmetotakeacourseinjournalismwhile atuniversity,butconventionalreportingisnotmything.It has always been creative writing that lights my fire and makesmyheartsing.

In my earlier years, I persevered through several jobs, which werespentwatchingtheclockandlookinglonginglyoutsideat thebluesky.ItwasonlywhenIgavethemup,packedmyboxes fortheverylasttimeandjumpedfearlesslyintotheunknown thatIfoundmyway.ThereisaquotebyEdwardTeller:'When you get to the end of all the light you know and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things will happen: either you will be given somethingsolidtostandon,oryouwillbetaughttofly. IdiscoveredthatIcouldfly.

Or rather that I could flow on the gentle stream of life, like an iridescent fish happily following the current.

A stint of volunteering and then some relief management at remote desert lodges in Namibia got me into the groove of living with a freedom and rhythm of life that isn't in accordance with the conventions of society. And it suited me well. Without a brick and mortar home to return to, every work-stint filled my pockets with enough for exploring another section of southern and east Africa. My well-worn 'Africa on a shoestring' travel guide became a loyal friend and often served as a pillow in my tent.

Home became wherever I was at the time, and when my meagre funds ran out, I would return to Namibia to see if I could pick up some more work. This led me to have many unusual and wonderful adventures in the country, and gave me the opportunity to work on projects and hone my skills as a freelance writer.

Since then, I have had - and still have - the privilege, in the name of work, to spend many days on gravel roads travelling through Namibia, South Africa and Botswana, dusty as all hell and on many occasions hardly seeing another car for hours on end, while researching articles. I thank all the kind souls who continually provide this opportunity. There is no doubt that I do my part - or more - workwise, often hitting the bottom of my reserve tank with a loud clunk. The journeys provide inspiration and I, in turn, convey it in words and images, passing on the good energy like a ripple in a golden pond.

breathing in the beauty around me, hiking in the mountains and walking on the beach as the sun sets. Soon, however, the road calls and I am eager once again to throw my tent and bedroll into my trusty chariot and to be on the move with my window open and the wind blowing my hair into a fuzzy halo. I find myself smiling widely, invigorated by the freedom and joy of the open road and the shimmering promise of adventure.

As each year swings by or flies past with the speed of an arctic tern flying ahead of a tail wind, I realise with increasing clarity that life is not black and white.

I have a bit more of a base now than in my wandering days (although I have a hunch that they will come round again and again) and love to spend my time in between trips at home in Scarborough, Cape Town, writing up,

It is an incredible rainbow of colours, and in order to live it fully we to have to bend with the wind and flow with the river, celebrate the experience and the adventure, and radiate love and give gratitude for this extraordinary experience of life. - RON SWILLING

book review

The Stonemen - Flint and Friends in the Kaokoland is a spellbindingjourneyintotheheartofNamibia’sremoteand mystical Kaokoland, where the lines between reality and legendbluragainstthebackdropofvastdesertlandscapes.

Authored by Ron Swilling, who skillfully narrates the story astoldtoher,thisbookdelvesintotheadventuresofFlint Firestone as he navigates through the wilds of Kaokoland, meeting an array of mysterious stone figures – each with their own story to tell. The creator of these enigmatic Stonemen remains anonymous, adding an extra layer of mysterytothiscompellingnarrative.

At its essence, the book is a reflective exploration of the natural world and humanity's connection to it. The desert landscape of Kaokoland becomes a living, breathing entity that Flint and his stone companions inhabit. Every Stoneman Flint encounters offers a unique perspective on life,survival,andtheforcesthathaveshapedtheearthfor millennia.

Whether it’s Hanging Man, who contemplates the fragile balancebetweenhumansanddesertwildlife,orQuartzMan, who muses on the desert’s famous fairy circles, each interaction invites readers to pause and consider the delicatesymbiosisbetweenmanandnature.

Theauthor’swritingbeautifullycapturestheessenceofthe Kaokoland,aplacewheretimeseemstoslowdown,allowing readers to experience the profound stillness and aweinspiring beauty of Namibia's wilderness. Swilling’s descriptions bring the landscape to life – the arid heat of theday,theshimmeringconstellationsofthenightsky,and the whispering winds that seem to carry ancient secrets.

These vivid depictions are complemented by captivating photographs and atmospheric illustrations by Jacquie Tarr, whose art adds depth to the story’s already immersive quality.

Morethanjustataleofadventure,TheStonemenisalsoa meditation on conservation and our responsibility toward thenaturalworld.TheStonementhemselves,whostandas guardiansoftheearth,serveassymbolicremindersthatwe must tread lightly on this planet, preserving it for future generations. Throughout the story, environmental themes are woven seamlessly into the narrative, reminding us that the wilderness is both fragile and resilient, depending on howwechoosetoengagewithit.

The story’s philosophical undercurrents are subtle but powerful. Flint’s journey isn’t just a physical trek through the remote northwest of Namibia; it is also a spiritual and emotional one. Each meeting with a Stoneman brings new insights,notonlyaboutthelandscapeanditscreaturesbut also about life’s deeper meanings – community, balance, survival, and respect for the earth. Swilling’s deft storytelling brings these moments of reflection to the forefront without being heavy-handed, creating a narrative thatisasthought-provokingasitisenjoyable.

This is a book for young and old. For those who appreciate adventure, the allure of the unknown, and the profound wisdom that can be found in the natural world. The anonymity of the Stonemen’s creator only adds to the book’s mystique, encouraging readers to focus less on the artist and more on the art – on the powerful messages embedded in the stones and the timeless landscapes they inhabit.

The Stonemen - Flint and Friends in the Kaokoland is a journey that will captivate nature lovers, adventurers, and anyone who has ever been touched by the vast beauty of untouched wilderness. It’s a reminder that even in the quietest corners of the world, there are stories waiting to be told – and lessons waiting to be learned.

- ELZANNE

MCCULLOCH Managing Director, Venture Media

about jacquie tarr

Biography

Jacquie Tarr, born in 1957, began drawing and painting from a young age, driven by a deep need for artistic expression even as she pursued careers as an environmental scientist and journalist. Now a full-time artist, her work reflects a lifelong dedication to capturing the essence of the natural world.

Training

Jacquie has honed her skills through numerous art courses at the University of Cape Town and the Ruth Prowse School of Art. Her growth as an artist has also been shaped by mentorship from Cape Town artist Jill Trappler and studio work with Belgian painter Martine Joaris-Masson and South African artist Michelle Kriek.

Exhibitions and Commissions

1992: Invited to exhibit alongside Armien Zander and Heinz Pulon at Die Muschel in Swakopmund.

2002 – 2017: Featured in over 10 group exhibitions across South Africa, Windhoek, and Swakopmund.

2014: Solo exhibition, Sketches from Life, at FNCC in Windhoek, a fundraiser for the Have-A-Heart Foundation.

H2014: Two paintings selected for the Bank Windhoek Triennale at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN).

2018 – 2020: Awarded corporate commissions for Emoneko Group, Gondwana, and Shipwreck Lodge, and produced a piece for Namibia’s Chamber of the Environment.

2019: Solo Exhibition, Shifting Horizons, at the Swakopmund Art Gallery.

2021: Two artworks selected for the Bank Windhoek Triennale.

2024: Solo exhibition, Namib Landscapes and People, at the 6th International Southern Deserts Conference in Walvis Bay.

about jacquie tarr

Artist Statement

I am fascinated by line and movement: the light, dynamism and rythyms projected from Nature. I try to draw and paint directly from life, in an attempt to impart energy to the work and to convey my feelings regarding our rapidly changing natural world.

Living for several years in an extremely isolated ranger outpost on Namibia’s far northern Skeleton Coast, I developed an intense appreciation for wilderness and remote desert spaces. Strong memories of the incredible beauty and other-worldliness of Koakoveld, are woven into my being and I will never give up the opportunity to travel to, and paint, in these exquisite areas.

The mysterious stonemen, dwarfed by the vastness of Namibia’s north western desertscapes, enhance one's experience of this unique part of the world. They provided compelling and challenging subject matter for this exhibition. My gratitude extends to Venture Media Publishers and BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie for supporting this journey.

Jacquie Tarr

William Wilfram ST02

Acrylic and Conté on 300g water colour paper

520mm x 400mm

NAD 1,150.00

Jacquie Tarr

Shotgun Fred ST03

Acrylic and Conté on 300g water colour paper

400mm x 520mm

NAD 1,150.00

Jacquie Tarr

Hanging Man

ST04

Acrylic and Conté on 300g water colour paper

400mm x 520mm

NAD 1,150.00

Jacquie Tarr River Man

ST05

Acrylic and Conté on 300g water colour paper

400mm x 520mm

NAD 1,150.00

Jacquie Tarr

Phil Feldspar ST06

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Sam Slate ST07

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Running Man 1

ST08

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Wise Man

ST09

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

330mm x 430mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Flint and Igneteous Ignatius ST10

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Basalt Ben ST11

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

330mm x 430mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Walking Man

ST12

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Watershed Man

ST13

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Running Man 2

ST14

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

430mm x 330mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Flint and Wise Man ST15

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

330mm x 430mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Tectonic Tim ST16

Charcoal and Conté on 300g water colour paper

330mm x 430mm

NAD 890.00

Jacquie Tarr

Kaokoveld I

ST17

Acrylic on 300g water colour paper

530mm x 710mm

NAD 1,950.00

Jacquie Tarr

Kaokoveld II

ST18

Acrylic on 300g water colour paper

570mm x 740mm

NAD 1,950.00

Jacquie Tarr

Kaokoveld III

ST19

Acrylic on 300g water colour paper

600mm x 770mm

NAD 1,950.00

Jacquie Tarr

Kaokoveld IV

ST20

Acrylic on 300g water colour paper

600mm x 770mm

NAD 1,950.00

Jacquie Tarr

Kaokoveld V (Diptych)

ST21

Acrylic on 300g water colour paper

560mm x 820mm

NAD 1,950.00

about jason nott

Jason Nott is a Namibian-born, self-taught photographer with a unique vision shaped by his deep connection to the country’s rugged wilderness and a family heritage in nature conservation. Inspired by his father’s appreciation for the natural world, Jason began to capture the raw, intricate beauty of Namibia’s landscapes from an early age. His work is rooted in an ability to find and frame timeless moments that resonate with viewers on an emotional level.

Through his photography, Jason invites audiences into the heart of Namibia, balancing negative space with an intense focus on his subjects to reveal the striking contrasts of the environment. His latest series, set in the remote Kaokoveld region, brings to life the resilience and spirit of the “stonemen,” capturing their stories with natural light and an unfiltered look at their surroundings. Each photograph embodies his desire to connect viewers with the profound beauty and strength of Namibia’s landscapes and people, allowing them to experience a slice of life in this timeless, yet harsh, terrain.