Nghipandulwa: An artist of diverse expressions

Ndako Nghipandulwa is a visual artist who specialises in nail-and-string art, paintings and drawings. His artistic journey is one of lifelong passion, beginning with pastime childhood doodles that initially lacked inspiration. What was only a hobby eventually blossomed into a creative pursuit in 2016 when he shared his art on social media.

This, he said, resulted in his followers asking to buy his pieces.

At the time, his medium of expression was drawing and he had just taken up painting as an exploration into new artistic avenues. “The nail-and-string artworks became another experiment in 2017. I always look to infuse vibrant hues into people’s surroundings!”

The aesthetic connoisseur mostly gets his inspiration from local and African artists. Before making art a serious lifelong pursuit, his career path was initially in civil engineering and project management. He has worked in the construction industry for a decade.

“I then embraced a full-time artist role for about six years before recently diving back into the construction industry on a short-term basis.”



Inspiring communities through art

As is the case with all expressionists, meaning is paramount to Nghipandulwa’s pieces. The heart of his art lies in weaving personal experiences, observations and reflections on life's profundities into each creation. He said each piece carries an unspoken narrative, drawing viewers into a dialogue beyond the visual aesthetics.

Equally important in his artistic journey is community. He said he channels his creative talents into community engagement by collaborating on local projects, addressing relevant themes, and fostering inclusivity.

“Connecting with communities allows my art to resonate with diverse perspectives,” he said.

Nghipandulwa believes in the potential of art to empower and uplift. Testament to this is ‘Project Babylon’ – a local initiative he underscored as having had the most significant impact on his audience and community.

It is an ongoing project that aims to transform Okahandja Park by enhancing its appeal and inspiring a positive shift in community perception. They thus engage both adults and children in the creative process, fostering pride and belonging to showcase that art transcends boundaries.



Other art initiatives and hurdles

According to the artist, the project was funded, in part, through a grant by the National Arts Council of Namibia (NACN). “Our goal is to make this area a living testament to the transformative power of art in unexpected places. Other organisations I have worked with are UNICEF and the European Union delegation to Namibia, where we had nail-and-string art and painting workshops for children.”

Nghipandulwa’s artistic career is not without hurdles. The probably most formidable one was reaching a wider audience for sales when he first started. He thus struggled to secure a livelihood through art.

Overcoming this demanded relentless self-promotion through events and social media. “I coupled this with a constant drive for improvement in my artistic technique.”

His advice to budding artists is to pursue what genuinely brings joy, irrespective of financial gains. He said each journey is unique and perseverance through challenges is key. “Also remember that we all have different backgrounds, upbringings and values. There is thus no one-size-fits-all solution. What works for me might not work for someone else.”