Soaring Spirits

A melancholic love letter to Namibia at BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie

At the threshold of global recognition, Namibia is acknowledged as a haven by visitors, often viewed as a utopia. Despite the international acclaim, locals sometimes overlook the enchantment inherent to their magical land.

Having been launched on 15 February, TIMELESS TAPESTRY, the first exhibition of 2024 at BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie, seeks to weave back together our local hearts and the place we call home. Our connection to this land is as intricate as a handloom. Perhaps the only way to reinvigorate dormant patriotism is to allow outsiders to show us how truly wonderful Namibia is.

Thirteen artists from outside Namibia were invited to create and contribute their unique impression of the country through mixed mediums. The artists showcasing at TIMELESS TAPESTRY are Amy Ayanda, ANHA, Cara Saven, David Ross, Gregg Price, John Bauer, Lucie de Moyencourt, Marilila Kyrtata, Marlene Neumann, Michael Chandler, Renée Rossouw, Something Good Studio and Wanderland. Until Saturday, 16 March, the walls and nooks of the Bell Street gallery will be an open love letter to Namibia.

Curator and owner of BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie, Andrea Behnsen, says, “I wanted artists outside of Namibia to remind us that we live in a remarkable, multifaceted country. Visitors know this, but it’s almost like Namibians still need convincing.”

Behnsen hand-picked the artists showcasing in the TIMELESS TAPESTRY and in many cases collaborated on original work. Interestingly, many artists chose to depart from their usual mediums. The subject, Namibia, called for it!

Fine art photographer David Ross portrayed Namibia in six gravity-defying mobiles. Suspended in the gallery, the brasstoned structures seem completely weightless, their splattered feather ends dancing with the breeze like a sandstorm might if it weren’t in such a hurry.

I wanted artists outside of Namibia to remind us that we live in a remarkable, multifaceted country.

Designer Renée Rossouw shallowly carved the country’s quintessential contrasts into wood and further defined our desert land with the use of the oryx. The result is a youthful approach to our dramatic Namib Desert, inviting uncomplicated dopamine vibes.

Michael Chandler of Chandler House, best known for painting ceramics, dabbled with oil on canvas board. Deeply inspired by the humble rock and its role as a cultural fossil record, Chandler illustrates a series of nine paintings through observing the nuances of different angles of a rock. He hopes viewers, particularly Namibians, will see that there is so much to love and celebrate about Namibia because of its simplicity, not at the cost of it.

Included in the roster of international artists is renowned ceramicist John Bauer. Three of his signature matchbox tile mosaics showcase the essence of Namibia in uncanny colour palettes.

For Bauer, the magic of Namibia lies in its endless space. “It is as if all that space makes more room in your soul,” says the artist.

Cara Saven, who is best known for Cara Saven Wall Design, collaborated under CS4D with curator Behnsen on table linen that injects contemporary flair to the symbols we associate with home – a marula fruit, the Namib Desert beetle (illustrated by Marilila Kyrtata from Greece) and coastal pelicans. The wholesome togetherness around a table where the tablecloth or napkins stir up conversations about our unique country is what TIMELESS TAPESTRY is all about.

Marilila Kyrtata worked with Behnsen to develop artworks for some of the CS4D pieces, such as the footprints of a tiny beetle becoming a conversation piece on table linen. Her illustrations intricately examine the minute details of Namibia that are often overlooked.

Lucie de Moyencourt, the Cape Town-based ceramic shell artist popular for her use of bold colours, crafted unique pieces that mirror the view from a small aircraft soaring over the geological wonders from above. The lines, layers and colours, paired with the shell shape the artist is known for, perfectly depict the ancient earthen details in plain sight throughout the country.

As BELLHAUS Atelier & Galerie continuously pushes the envelope, this exhibition will feature fine art for collectors as well as more accessible works for everyday art lovers. In TIMELESS TAPESTRY, instead of looking beyond our borders for a sense of accomplishment, we take stock of what we have. We seek inspiration from our own soil and stories. Because we can only grow outward in proportion to how stable we are on the inside.