Visual artistic interventions into contemporary post-colonial realities and potential futures in Namibia. A multivocal art-anthropology encounter

Abstract

Several artists have been occupied with the subject of decolonization in Namibia lately. By means of dialogue between five contemporary Namibian visual artists and one anthropologist, in this article we thematize exemplary perspectives on and interventions into postcolonial realities. Dialogues about selected artpieces and additional subjects like healing of past wounds, the Afrofuture and arts potential to reveal social complexities expose visibly how artists intervene very differently into undoing colonialism. It illustrates artistic suggestions for a future that opens up a cultural space on earth for Black peoples belonging, a post-racial world which is not subverted, devalued and discriminated aginst, and a space for the celebration of the uniqueness and innovation of Black or/and African culture. We thus highlight arts capacity to expose complex nuances, associate ruptures, challenge the viewer, and offer some sort of reorientation. The exposed and discussed artpieces are able to open up new views which are truthful about a postcolonial moment in time.