MUNINGANDU HOVEKA is a multidisciplinary artist and curator whose works move along the visual and performing arts continuum. Fragments of nature, socio-political issues, spirituality and traditional practices, particularly of the Herero culture, inspire Hoveka’s work. She often bridges art and academia, using an art-based research process to inform her practice. In March 2025 she joined the StArt Team in the role of Assistant Curator.
Can you tell us a bit about your background in art and performing arts?
I studied Creative Expression at the University of Namibia, where my coursework also included Visual Arts, Theatre Movement and Ethnomusicology. While visual arts introduced me to the art world, I’ve always been drawn to performance art because of its immediacy—using the body as a primary medium. I find it appealing how performance allows an artist to take up space, much like sound art, where soundscapes shape and fill an environment. In many ways, my curatorial practice is an extension of this curiosity about space and meaning-making.
What inspired you to pursue a career in curating? Or more broadly how did you come to curating?
Studying art deepened my understanding of how meaning, concepts, and context shape artistic expression. Curating drew me in as a way to create experiences for audiences through transforming spaces into narratives that enhance how artworks are perceived. I was especially drawn to the role of working alongside artists, creating platforms which help them expand their reach and communicate their work to a wider audience. I love that curating allows me to combine academic inquiry with creative practice, engaging with art as both a reflection of and a response to social and political realities.
What are your thoughts on the role of technology in contemporary art curation?
My direct experience with technological tools in contemporary curation has mostly been limited to screens for video/moving images and speakers for sound. However, I recently collaborated with a German team on an Augmented Reality project, which exposed me to new ways technology can be applied in curatorial and artistic practice. Since AR is an applied art, I had to work within certain technical parameters to achieve the best results for motion detection. During post-production, I realized how many possibilities existed that I hadn’t even considered due to my limited knowledge of these tools and features. This experience highlighted the gap in access to technological resources—yet, we continue to innovate with what is available to us. For StArt Art Gallery’s online platforms, I would suggest the continuation of a virtual exhibition or walkabout. A dedicated platform for artist interviews and digital showcases could significantly increase the visibility of artworks, reaching broader audiences beyond those who can physically visit the gallery.
What are some of the challenges you think curators and artists face in Windhoek’s art scene?
One of the biggest challenges is limited access to specialised tools, archival materials, and digital infrastructure, which makes producing and preserving artworks more difficult. There are also very few dedicated contemporary art spaces, making it hard to showcase large-scale or experimental work. Financial constraints affect both artists and curators, limiting the scope of exhibitions, research, and artistic production. That said, there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen Namibia’s arts and culture sector, which gives me hope that better support and structure will develop in the future.
Do you have any specific ideas or projects that you would like to pursue in your new role?
I would love to curate exhibitions that go beyond just displaying artworks, creating an experience that draws visitors in and encourages them to engage with the works. I’m especially interested in how spatial design can shape the way people move through a space, and how layering different visual and contextual elements can add depth. I’d like to explore unconventional display methods, thoughtful lighting, or subtle interactive features that make exhibitions more immersive, thought-provoking and memorable. At the core of it all, my goal is to keep refining my ability to tell compelling stories through exhibitions and curatorial projects.
