Pashuka, the Reading Corner for Artists

Pashuka, which means to be alert, enlightened, wise and with open eyes, has just opened up at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN). It’s a reading corner housed inside the NAGN that is aiming to be a home for artists to commune and be inspired through developing their knowledge of art. According to the NAGN of Namibia, “the Pashuka Reading Corner serves as reminders of the academic origin of contemporary art and its strong relationship with text of all kinds.”

“We as the NAGN, do not just want to be a space for artists to exhibit, we want to give our artists the resources that they can draw inspiration from.”

99FM’s MYD Art visited this reading corner for the arts and found hope for a place for artists to congregate, set surrounded in books of Namibian and international art through the ages. “We as the NAGN, do not just want to be a space for artists to exhibit, we want to give our artists the resources that they can draw inspiration from.” Says Annapaula Vakamuena, the Public Relations Office at the National Art Gallery of Namibia.

Annapaula goes on to explain that artists learn from other artists and their work. This library offers artists, and art enthusiasts, an opportunity to travel through the history of Namibian art and also of global artistic influencers. “We have books here on art history, contemporary art, Namibian artists, art media publications and more. Artists can interact here, chat and share.” Says Annapaula

“The art library is a powerful tool to be used to engage with communities. This can be seen as a means to stimulate public conversation, contribute to the development of artists by creative learning and to create artists capable of action.”

The Pashuka Reading Corner was sponsored by Bank Windhoek and speaking at the launch, Riaan van Rooyen of Bank Windhoek said that, “The art library is a powerful tool to be used to engage with communities. This can be seen as a means to stimulate public conversation, contribute to the development of artists by creative learning and to create artists capable of action.”

While still in it’s infancy, the reading corners hopes to grow as the need requires. Annapaula explains, “We will be open on Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays from 1pm-4pm and on Saturdays from 9am-12pm. Making it assessable to school children as well. But we will see how that goes according to the need, and can adjust it accordingly. We are very pleased that Bank Windhoek sponsored the reading corner, enabling us to buy the books we needed, but we would still like to request any art books you may wish to donate. They would be most welcome.”

Article written by Kirsty Watermeyer