Covid-19 has affected us all in different ways, leaving many of us with unique perspectives of the pandemic. These perspectives, mainly concerning the virus, vaccine, and the impact of the pandemic, are all similar yet diverse across various communities.
In an effort to bring forth these perspectives, the University of Namibia (UNAM) and Cardiff University embarked on an initiative to collect several communities’ experiences and feelings of the pandemic creatively and innovatively during the UNAM Cares National Covid-19 awareness roadshow.
The initiative titled: ‘Covid-19 Community Perspectives in Stitches’ is a collection of community voices communicating the raw and authentic impact of Covid-19 through art by traditional artists.
Arts has, since its inception, developed as a means of communication, allowing individuals to understand and experience messages beyond what words can offer, stated Prof. Matengu, UNAM Vice-Chancellor, and Co-Lead: Phoenix Project.
He further stated that; “Arts have been used as a manner of communicating throughout history and this exhibition emulates the beauty of it – communicating a message beyond words in order to understand and experience the message differently.”
These remarks were shared during the ‘Covid-19 Community Perspectives in Stitches Exhibition’ launch officiated by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Hon. Dr Kalumbi Shangula.
“We are here to launch the opening of an exhibition of artistic works created in fabric and stitch and designed to communicate how embroidery and stitch artists, as representatives of their communities, feel about COVID-19 and vaccination for COVID-19”, explained Dr Shangula.
Further, in his keynote address, Dr Shangula disclosed that: “Pivotal in bringing the project to fruition were Charlotte Buys, Petra Ipinge, and Sister Eveline Kharuxas” traditional artists who worked closely with the communities under the support of Ms Frauke Stegmann and Dr Rachel Freeman from UNAM.
“We are very grateful to them and the team for presenting to us this very lovely show this morning”, remarked Dr Shangula. He further expressed a notion of gratitude to UNAM, Cardiff University, the Welsh government, and traditional artists for embarking on this project, emphasizing how this initiative will aid in the understanding of Covid-19.
“Language matter and visual art is a language,” stated Prof. Judith Hall, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine and Co-lead: Phoenix Project. “This could be a start of something innovative, exciting, and different means of communication,” she added.
Covid-19 community perspectives in stitch exhibition is the first exhibition in a box in Namibia that is anticipated to develop in the country. The exhibition will be open to the public at the University of Namibia Library foyer until the 30th of November 2021, after which it will be transported to other regions.
The exhibition was funded by the Welsh Government through Cardiff University, in support of the combined efforts of the National Covid-19 vaccination campaign. This campaign is led by the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Kalumbi Shangula and supported by UNAM Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kenneth Matengu.
Article by Barron Domingos
