Afrospection with NAGN’s Annapaula Vakamuena
The ever-delightful Public Relations Officer at the National Art Gallery of Namibia (NAGN), Annapaula Vakamuena shares here her learnings and lessons from the past year, her self examination from Africa… her Afrospection.
Looking Back…
Q: How would you describe your 2017?
A: Rewarding.
Q: What was something good that came out of 2017?
A: Honest self-introspection and personal growth.
Q: What challenged you in 2017 and how did you overcome this challenge?
A: Being a Public Relations officer of an art institution, standing in front of a well knowledgeable art audience and telling them about art. I overcame this challenge by learning more about the industry that I am operating in, listening more, reading more and understanding that it takes time to learn something and that actually one never stops to learn, its just about improving each time. And I am doing that just well 🙂
Q: What was your favourite Art in 2017?
A: My favourite is a painting by Vaugh Riekert, titled face of deep pain. Riekert is a graduate from the College of the Art and this artwork, I actually bought from the 2017 New Beginnings exhibition (an exhibition of artworks from graduates of the college of art).
It looks aesthetically pleasing but it has rather a much deeper meaning which touches on gender based violence which is really a problem in our society. Its an evoking piece that causes you to pause and think about this sad reality and what you can do about it. We need to fight it together.
Q: What was your biggest health and wellness learning of 2017?
A: I learnt that my health is something that is very important, something that comes first actually, something that I am not willing to compromise. And I’ve also learnt that there is more to health then physical appearance. I’ve learnt that my mental health/state is as equally important because that’s where everything stems from and I think we should give attention to our metal states as much as we give to the physical. Investing in my health is something that I will never look at as money consuming, I literally incorporate my health into my budget.
Q: What was your biggest personal development learning of 2017?
A: Learning how to say no, and also when to say yes. I learnt this by making decisions from a place of love and not fear.
As for the Holidays…
Q: What is your favourite food in December?
A: I love meat, so anything that has to do with it…great meal.
Q: What is your favourite Namibian destination?
A: I really don’t have a favourite, every time I go to a new place it reminds me of how beautiful this country is.
Q: What book should we all be reading?
A: Unfollow by Dr. Linda Papadopoulos
Q: Where do you find your inspiration?
A: In the fact that circumstances do change. And believing that I didn’t come this far to only come this far, that there is something greater awaiting to happen always… so it never stops because life is not static.
Looking Forward…
Q: What is your mantra for life?
A: That whatever energy you give to the world, it will give back.
Q: What is your wish for the world for 2018?
A: To hurt less.
Q: What is your wish for Namibia for 2018?
A: To care more.
Q: What is your wellness goal for 2018?
A: A restful body + a restful mind.