Namibia

_{Posted: Wednesday 23 - 05 -2007}

The Voice of the Survivor

_{By FILLIPUS  SHEEHAMA}

_{“The Voice Of the Survivor” is an exhibition of drawings, prints and mixed-media works, which, through powerful black and white images, explores road accidents and its victims.  The artist has chosen this theme in order to make the public more aware of the issues of road-safety and its (potential) victims. These artworks contribute towards expanding the consciousness of the public, with regards to contemporary dangers.  Namibia is a country of long roads, and extensive travel.  Not only are vehicles and drivers affected by the dangers of travel, but also passengers, pedestrians and animals.}

_{Newspaper articles and photographs documenting the horror of road accidents and the vulnerability of life, motivated Sheehama to add his voice, through the high-impact medium of black and white images. Aside from the pertinence of this theme, Sheehama’s powerful images show skill and virtuosity in the medium of charcoal drawing and print-making.  Here, is an artist who elevates the skill of drawing into an art form in its own right.The only mixed-media artwork on display, “Blind Mind”, was made from found materials selected for the personal context that is associated with the theme.  It is made from bicycle tyres , wood and bicycle chains as recycled materials.  This re-enforces the theme of road accidents on many levels.  Its silhouette-like images bring to mind the tracings of the forms of the dead used in criminal investigation.}

_{Fillipus Sheehama is a well-established Namibian artist who studied at JMAC and currently studying at UNAM.  He is now a Lecturer at JMAC, as well as a practicing artist. His artworks reflect quality in execution, technical expertise and deep-thinking conceptualisation}

_{The exhibition will be sponsored by Windhoek bank and will open on the 5^th of June at NAGN UPPER GALLERY Namibia, at 18h30, and will run until 17th June 2007.}

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