Tulipamwe means "we are together" and is an independently funded artists project coordinated by the Tulipamwe Arts Trust in Namibia. The trust is organized under the auspices of the Visual &amp; Performing Arts Department of the University of Namibia and is affiliated to the Triangle Network of Workshops initiated by Sir Robert Lauder.
Introduction.
Historically Namibia (in southern Africa) has been isolated by the politics of the Apartheid Government in South Africa from the rest of the world and especially from the rest of Africa (except South Africa) for over fifty years. This isolation has been in almost every sphere of interaction, but especially in the arts. The cultural boycott of South Africa extended to Namibia, and South Africa’s policy of destabilization of her neighbours ensured that Namibians did not interact peacefully with these “front-line states”. Since independence (1989) and since democracy in South Africa (1994) this isolation has been addressed in many different ways. Namibians are encouraged to see themselves as part of Africa rather than just a part of South Africa and in the Visual Arts, Tulipamwe has been a major force in the opening up of Namibia’s arts to Africa and the world and the introduction of foreign artists to Namibia.
Tulipamwe, aptly, means ‘we are together’. As an international workshop it aims to fulfill the promise of its name. The first Tulipamwe International Artists Workshop was held in 1994. The workshops bring together about 20 artists from all over the world. Artists from Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Africa, Nigeria, Spain, USA, and Germany all applied. The selection process is strictly monitored by members of the organizational committee. The criteria for selection is based on the work submitted with the application and what the artist could bring to the workshop and on how much the artist is expected to gain from it, this allows for both students and professional artists to gain and receive in equal measures. Tulipamwe brings people together who have nothing in common besides their artistic passion which has proved time and time again to be all that is needed for success. Artists were not expected to come with any preparation, but rather to be open to new ideas in a new environment.
Tulipamwe is funded annually by sponsors, such as the Triangle Trust and the Ford Foundation as well as the foreign embassies operating in Windhoek. It depends entirely on the support of these sponsors as it is a non-profit organization founded simply for the benefit of local communities and artists.
In 2008 Tulipamwe was held at Okombahe, a rural community, with a design that included the local people. Five of the local residents of Okombahe participated. This article concentrates mainly on this workshop and the work created by the participants.
After the long process of organizing and coordinating the artists met, travelled to Okombahe and worked together for two solid weeks. Both International artists and local artists where encouraged to experiment with different materials and styles. This gave all the artists the opportunity to learn from each other. Seven nationalities, including Namibia, where represented. These artists were all at different stages of training and understanding in artistic ability and inter-cultural contact. Many of the artists had attended international workshops of a similar nature while for others this was their first.
Brief history of Tulipamwe (1994–2003).
The Tulipamwe project was founded in 1994. Since then more than 200 Namibian artists and international artists have taken part in successful workshops. The Tulipamwe workshops have been held in many different locations; each of these was chosen for its peaceful atmosphere and more recently for the surrounding community. Tulipamwe has gone through a series of small changes over the last 14 years as it has changed hands three times during this time.
The Tulipamwe project was originally inspired by the Triangle Trust's workshop model. This was an international model on which many other similar projects have been based. Tulipamwe was founded in Namibia with the help of a consultant from the UK, Anna Kindersly, who co-ordinated the first workshop in 1994. The coordination was then taken over by the staff of the Visual Arts Department of the University of Namibia (UNAM). UNAM and the working group hosted six International Artists Workshops until 1999. These workshops all concentrated on the artists’ creative exploration. From 1999 to 2004 Tulipamwe was independently run by a Namibian artist, Jo Rogge. Four international workshops were held during this time. In 2005 it returned to the management of UNAM. The aims were then revived and revised and the workshops started again in 2008.
1994 – Otjiwa Game Lodge The first international artists' workshop in Namibia was held at Otjiwa Game Lodge. The workshop was highly anticipated and much was expected of it.
"“In planning, the working group anticipated that the Tulipamwe process would address a broad spectrum of creative issues relevant to contemporary Namibian art. What however could not have been anticipated was the degree of success. Not only did the workshop address these predicted issues but it generated an exceptionally high degree of creative energy, experimentation, and learning-through-sharing”"
It is clear that Tulipamwe exceeded its aims, this can be seen not only in the statements made by the participants and organizers but also by the fact that it continues to be promoted today. In this workshop the main impromptu educational focus was on sculpture. A lot of Namibian artists such as Silverius Olibile and Trudi Dicks started their first sculpture pieces at Tulipamwe with the help of sculptors from Zimbabwe, SA and Zambia.
Artists attended from: Botswana, Namibia, UK, USA, Germany, France, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal and South-Africa.
1995 – Peperkorrel Farm Tulipamwe was then held at Peperkorrel Farm, this farm is the home and studio of internationally famous Namibian sculptor Dorte Berner. The coordinator of this workshop was Hercules Viljoen, a Namibian artist who is head of the visual arts department at UNAM. Because of the different backgrounds of the artists who attend these workshops different opinions are often argued over. In 1995 a spontaneous and rather explosive debate erupted over the relevance and validity of abstract art, the debate ended amicably and so Tulipamwe was all the more rewarding and renewing. The final exhibit at the end of the workshop brought with it a totally new experience for the National Gallery of Namibia. This was the first time that an installation piece was exhibited in the space. This installation, called ‘Territories viii: Dreams of Africa”, was produced by Jack Beng-Thi a visiting artist from France-Reunion.
Artists attended from France-Reunion, Congo, Namibia, UK, Germany, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South-Africa.
1996 – Zebra River Lodge
Hercules Viljoen coordinated this workshop at Zebra River Lodge, a country lodge in the south of Namibia situated in the beautiful Zebra River Valley. This Tulipamwe, like all the others, had the aim of encouraging the free flow of ideas and information between professional artists from within Namibia and from abroad. This meeting of artistic minds has been described as "an exciting and stimulating experience of personal growth that can not be duplicated other than in a similar workshop situation" by Cathy McRoberts, a Namibian artist in 1996. This workshop inspired one of its participants, Samuel Amunkete, to further his education in the arts. In a similar way the land art, by Eric Pongerard from France-Reunion, inspired many of the Namibian artists to continue in this style, and this is coming out more and more clearly today.
Artists attended from: Botswana, Namibia, Kenya, Zimbabwe, UK, India, South Africa,
France-Reunion, Zambia, France, Germany and Spain
1997- Otjiruze Guest Lodge
By the fourth annual workshop, Tulipamwe had become one of the major annual events in the Namibian cultural calendar. The coordinator of this workshop, held at Otjiruze Guest Lodge, was Hercules Viljoen. The location of this workshop resounded so well with the artists that it was used again for the next two Tulipamwe workshops. This workshop brought out in its participants a wish to express their own social, political, moral, and religious beliefs. Eric Schnack, from Namibia, produced work depicting his disgust for game hunting. Max Edison, from Namibia, used his work to bring awareness to mistreated women and children. Moitshepi Mandidela, from Botswana, worked mainly on works that revolved around religion, his primary piece was called ‘My peoples religion’
Artists attended from: Australia, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, UK, South-Africa, France-Reunion, France, Germany and Spain
1998- Otjiruze Guest Lodge
This was the last workshop coordinated by Hercules Viljoen before it became a privately run project in 1999. Nine of the participating Namibian artists had attended Tulipamwe workshops previously and were able to build on their experiences and skills. This is an important part of the workshop.
1999- Otjiruze Guest Farm
Jo Rogge coordinated and ran Tulipamwe in 1999 and in spite of the change in coordinator the ethos remained the same. Seven of the participants had attended Tulipamwe before.
Artists attended from: Namibia, Denmark, Botswana, Spain, Norway, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Rwanda, Germany, South Africa, Finland and Zambia.
"'2000 - Kansimba Game Lodge"
'This workshop was held at a lodge near Karibib in the Erongo region and was coordinated by Jo Rogge. The participant from Zimbabwe, Chiko, remained after the workshop to host a series of printmaking classes at the John Muafangejo Art Centre.
Artists attended from: Namibia, Norway, Zimbabwe, Finland, Zambia, South Africa, UK, Germany, Botswana, France and Spain.
2001 – Gobabeb Research Station
The experiences of the artists at the Gobabeb Research Station tended to be more tranquil and serene. This was mainly because the research station is in the middle of the desert, on the divide between the dune fields and the gravel plains, and is situated in an extremely barren area. This seems to have had an effect on the art produced, much of it inspired by nature. The artist from Ireland, Janet Crimble made a large piece of land art in the riverbed made entirely of the pods from the indigenous trees. Francois Niay made large drawings of natural objects.
Artists attended from: Namibia, Northern Ireland, Botswana, Spain, Finland, France, Mozambique, South Africa, Norway and Germany
2003 – Otjiruze Guest Farm
This Tulipamwe was coordinated by Jo Rogge and had an emphasis on experience and professionalism. "Enthusiasm for participation over the years has not waned, rather, artists eagerly forward their applications". Sculpture and installation art once again were a huge portion of the work produced.
Artists attended from: Namibia, Uganda, France, Mozambique, Finland, Norway, Zimbabwe.
Sponsorship.
The Tulipamwe Arts Trust is an independent body attached to the University of Namibia which provides some logistical and administrative support but the workshops need to be funded annually. It is approved by the Ministry of Basic Education and Culture as well as the National Art Gallery of Namibia. The coordinator and the working group seek funding each year for the running of the workshop. The funding is used for transport, accommodation, catering, materials and publicity. Traditionally the workshop is funded by international donors such as HIVOS, a Dutch funding agency and the Ford Foundation. Funding is also acquired from local international agencies such as the Goethe Centre, the American Cultural Centre, the Franco Namibian Cultural Centre and UNESCO. The private sector in Namibia has also provided funding in the form of services and materials. The funders are acknowledged widely in the press as well as in the catalogues and on the web site. An Open Day is held at the end of the workshop to give an opportunity for the sponsors to meet and talk to the artists in their studios and to view the work created. At the end of a workshop the donors are presented with an artwork in thanks for their sponsorship.
Art Workshop Networks.
Triangle Arts Trust is an umbrella organization that facilitates and supports various workshop initiatives in 23 countries all over the world. It helps to support at least 10 different workshop organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa. Artists often attend more than one workshop in various countries and start to form connections with countries, arts institutions and artists all over the region. Some of these workshops are: Thapong – Botswana, Thupelo – South Africa, Aftershave – Nigeria, Batapata – Zimbabwe, Kuona – Kenya, Insaka – Zambia
Uta Goeble-Gross, from Germany, compared her experience at the 2008 Tulipamwe workshop to two other workshops she had attended in Cape Town. While these urban experiences were both educative and useful to the communities, they lacked the connection she felt to the other artists at Tulipamwe. She felt that the isolation in the empty landscape made