Natache Ilonga is the principal Architect at Iilonga Architects Inc, she is a multi-disciplinary creative practicing in the realms of architecture, public space, design research and academia. Ilonga was trained to ensure that buildings are designed cost effectively, to be used comfortably, in a sustainable relationship with the climate, yet aesthetically beautiful. She is currently serving the Arts Industry through board directorships at the NAA and NAGN. Her professional expertise is greatly influenced by not only Windhoek city but also other spatial-cultural practices beyond and across borders. On the 10th of October 2024 Ilonga gave the following open address at Elisia Nghidhshange’s solo show titled ‘Connections’.
If you will allow me to quickly drop a disclaimer, my expertise is primarily in understanding people, space, object relationships, and the design of connections in buildings.
For a little bit of back story, Elisia and I, have a timeless relationship. In that we do not see each other often, but when we are together, we do not stop talking. We talk about a range of things including our lived experiences, people observations, life hacks, traditional practices, gender and spaces, a lot of topics. But because she is so exceptionally knowledgeable, this makes her such a superb mentor all the same because of her incredible ability to be critical and draw connections between things you would not think possible to have a connection, in the slightest. And so, I walk away mind blown by her, every time.
Now, Elisia’s work on exhibition this evening, really displays a series of beautiful but structural forms that, I think successfully demonstrate the interplay between what is tangible and intangible. Yet her work so delicately embodies the fragility and complexity of human relationships, and our interactions and negotiations with ourselves – human to human, human to object, object to object. As Elisia put it.
I had the gracious opportunity to see the works prior to this opening, to form my interpretation, and I particularly appreciate how her works negotiates scale and hierarchy to perhaps emphasise the priority and role of the object or her body, in that moment or context.
Now, if you will allow me to be an architect for a second, I would like to close with the use an analogy: Picture this – House of Connection
The physical built nature of a house is fundamentally a composition of
connections by material elements – where the roof sheet connects to the roof
structure; the roof structure to the walls; the floor to the walls; the walls to the
foundations. Creating shelter, such as the okanduda.
But the intangible facilitator of connections is the circulation or route through the
house that connects you to the different rooms. Accessed through thresholds or doorways.
Within these rooms or spaces, more connections are facilitated such as the
movements of the female body joints, in interplay with relevant objects such as
the clay pot, to produce food for feeding. This facilitated by a space called
epata, place for producing food.
And all while her body maintains spiritual connections using the ondjeva piece
around her waist.
And thus, House of Connection.
And you and I have been invited into Elisia’s House of Connection.
Finally, this exhibition encourages reflective dialogue on the architecture of our connections, really urging us to consider how the structures—both physical and emotional—impact the relationships we cultivate with each other and the objects we invite into our lives.
I am honoured. Thank you Elisia, Helen, and National Art Gallery of Namibia.
