Saima's artistic journey
All he wanted was to become an artist and that''s what he did.
He talks to tjil about his journey from the village to Windhoek where he is deriving joy from his work.
At the age of 10, whilst his age mates played skululu and only cared about the present, Saima already had an idea of what he wanted to do when he grew up and to this today, he has remained true to his vision. His artistic eye matured and blossomed. Growing up in a little village in the north, Saima and his peers had to make their own toys to play with. He stood out of the crowd and would always get praises from people in his village. “I would make wire cars and wooden cups that were used to drink traditional brews. I believe I got the talent from both my parents as my mother weaves baskets and my father makes cups and other things. They are my inspiration,” said Saima. Saima recalls having a very keen eye and always copied what his father did when making crafts.
He also remembers that his school note books always had drawings at the back. “I didn''t really care much about those Geography and Science subjects. There was nothing else that I wanted. Just arts,” he said of his passion for art. His parents and school teachers were very supportive of his career choice from the beginning and immediately understood that he wanted nothing to do with nursing or teaching but just arts. Upon completing his grade 12, Saima was still determined to study something in line with arts but he didn''t know much. He went to Oshakati to seek career opportunities. Saima said he got a lot of help from the youth centre and it here where his journey really began. “I got help from a lady at the youth centre who told me to apply to the College of the Arts (COTA) and three months later, she gave me a form. There were only 6 forms sent to the Oshakati youth centre and I managed to get one,” he says.
In 2013, Saima began his srtistic journey in Windhoek and says it was the best thing that ever happened to him. “When I came to COTA I was thinking arts only had to do with painting and drawing but, I was so very wrong. I learned a lot and the lecturers taught us everything from how to major in arts and what to do after studies for instance,” says Saima. He got motivation from local artists like Papa Shikongeni and he would often ask himself, “if they can do it, why can''t I?” And with patience and courage, that kept him going. Saima was awarded a scholarship in his first and second years by COTA for being the best student overall in the visual arts department. “In my third year I was awarded a bursary by the National Arts Council and in 2015 I graduated as the best student,” Saima said. He is currently employed by COTA as a lecturer''s assistant.
Saima and his friend Shiimi registered a company called Art Zone that does industrial arts of all genres from painting to 3D sculptures, mannequins just to mention a few. “Art Zone currently doesn''t have a studio but we work from the COTA as graduates are allowed to work from the scrap yard as your work space. Unfortunately, I am only at the COTA as assistant for this year and after that, I can no longer use the facilities,” said Saima. Art Zone is however grateful for companies like Advantage Facilities that refers clients and Saima is hopeful that they can get space to work from in future. Saima also spoke about talks with a potential partner who is willing to offer studio space and this partnership prompted them to change the name of the company to Broad Creations. The deal is yet to be finalised.
Saima has so far sold his artwork at Art Splash and some to a German exhibitor for her museum. “There is a career in the market because it is a broad field. Art is not only what we are taught because things like paintings and sculptures have seasons when they sell. That is why my friend and I came up with Broad Creations to sustain us. It''s all about creativity,” he said
Some of the gigs that Saima has had include designing the Events Today sign which is hanging outside warehouse today. “Broad Creations latest gig is of the Windhoek Fashion Week letters that will be displayed at the event, do come out and see!” said Saima urged.
Lastly, Saima encourages more locals to come out and support Namibian artists'' work saying they are mostly supported by foreigners. “The only locals you see are white people. Organisations like FNCC and National Art Gallery usually host exhibitions. People that want a career in arts must not fear if they have the talent. We can develop the country through arts. Don''t cry because of hunger when you have no job. COTA is there which a government initiative to assist, “he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
At the age of 10, whilst his age mates played skululu and only cared about the present, Saima already had an idea of what he wanted to do when he grew up and to this today, he has remained true to his vision. His artistic eye matured and blossomed. Growing up in a little village in the north, Saima and his peers had to make their own toys to play with. He stood out of the crowd and would always get praises from people in his village. “I would make wire cars and wooden cups that were used to drink traditional brews. I believe I got the talent from both my parents as my mother weaves baskets and my father makes cups and other things. They are my inspiration,” said Saima. Saima recalls having a very keen eye and always copied what his father did when making crafts.
He also remembers that his school note books always had drawings at the back. “I didn''t really care much about those Geography and Science subjects. There was nothing else that I wanted. Just arts,” he said of his passion for art. His parents and school teachers were very supportive of his career choice from the beginning and immediately understood that he wanted nothing to do with nursing or teaching but just arts. Upon completing his grade 12, Saima was still determined to study something in line with arts but he didn''t know much. He went to Oshakati to seek career opportunities. Saima said he got a lot of help from the youth centre and it here where his journey really began. “I got help from a lady at the youth centre who told me to apply to the College of the Arts (COTA) and three months later, she gave me a form. There were only 6 forms sent to the Oshakati youth centre and I managed to get one,” he says.
In 2013, Saima began his srtistic journey in Windhoek and says it was the best thing that ever happened to him. “When I came to COTA I was thinking arts only had to do with painting and drawing but, I was so very wrong. I learned a lot and the lecturers taught us everything from how to major in arts and what to do after studies for instance,” says Saima. He got motivation from local artists like Papa Shikongeni and he would often ask himself, “if they can do it, why can''t I?” And with patience and courage, that kept him going. Saima was awarded a scholarship in his first and second years by COTA for being the best student overall in the visual arts department. “In my third year I was awarded a bursary by the National Arts Council and in 2015 I graduated as the best student,” Saima said. He is currently employed by COTA as a lecturer''s assistant.
Saima and his friend Shiimi registered a company called Art Zone that does industrial arts of all genres from painting to 3D sculptures, mannequins just to mention a few. “Art Zone currently doesn''t have a studio but we work from the COTA as graduates are allowed to work from the scrap yard as your work space. Unfortunately, I am only at the COTA as assistant for this year and after that, I can no longer use the facilities,” said Saima. Art Zone is however grateful for companies like Advantage Facilities that refers clients and Saima is hopeful that they can get space to work from in future. Saima also spoke about talks with a potential partner who is willing to offer studio space and this partnership prompted them to change the name of the company to Broad Creations. The deal is yet to be finalised.
Saima has so far sold his artwork at Art Splash and some to a German exhibitor for her museum. “There is a career in the market because it is a broad field. Art is not only what we are taught because things like paintings and sculptures have seasons when they sell. That is why my friend and I came up with Broad Creations to sustain us. It''s all about creativity,” he said
Some of the gigs that Saima has had include designing the Events Today sign which is hanging outside warehouse today. “Broad Creations latest gig is of the Windhoek Fashion Week letters that will be displayed at the event, do come out and see!” said Saima urged.
Lastly, Saima encourages more locals to come out and support Namibian artists'' work saying they are mostly supported by foreigners. “The only locals you see are white people. Organisations like FNCC and National Art Gallery usually host exhibitions. People that want a career in arts must not fear if they have the talent. We can develop the country through arts. Don''t cry because of hunger when you have no job. COTA is there which a government initiative to assist, “he concluded.
June Shimuoshili
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article