Africa-Press – Namibia. IT’S been a challenging year for Namibian artisans, but one exhibition that has pushed through the pandemic is !Ikhoba Textile Project’s annual ‘Christmas in July’ showcase.
Returning to the Namibia Craft Centre’s Omba Gallery in a splash of festive decor, stylish homeware and trinkets, the pop-up shop and exhibition has been extended to 31 August, and is displayed under the theme ‘There is No Planet B’.
“In 2021, the theme is focused around the global problem of pollution,” says exhibition curator Mildred von Lüttwitz.
“Therefore the !Ikhoba group has a few new products which focuses on waste management.”
Beautifully curated to showcase old favourites such as !Ikhoba’s guinea fowl feathered animal angels and their merry Coca-Cola can stars, this year !Ikhoba improves on their efforts to upcycle items such as espresso pods and tin cans, and boasts some eye-catching home decor.
“Other new products include slogan cushions and wall hangings or tablecloths made from 100% cotton and hand-embroidered by the !Ikhoba artists,” says Von Lüttwitz.
“For the slogan cushions the !Ikhoba team thought of and designed positive, quirky slogans and quotes about making the world a better place, such as ‘Earth Day Every Day’, ‘Let’s Make the World Great Again’, ‘There is No Planet B’, and ‘What I Stand For is What I Stand On’.
“Some slogans were also translated into different local Namibian languages, such as Oshiwambo and Damara.”
The !Ikhoba Textile Project works with over 300 artists, woodworkers, painters and makalani carvers in communities around Otjiwarongo, Swakopmund and Windhoek.
‘Christmas in July’, currently in its eighth iteration, was created as a platform to exhibit unique Namibian Christmas traditions and symbols during the peak tourism season while enticing locals with some early Christmas presents and ideas.
“Each year the artist group deliberately pushes the limits to style a fresh collection of products, and to showcase African handwork and craft from a different viewpoint, while keeping with their ambition of recycling and sustainability,” says Von Lüttwitz.
Building on last year’s pandemic era theme of ‘The Show Will Go On’, !Ikhoba’s ‘Christmas in July’ returns with its usual fun and flair.
