Ismael Shivute (b. 1988) studied Sculpture at the Department of Visual Arts, College of the Arts. His mixed media artworks are influenced by his environment, often incorporating found or recycled materials sourced from his local surroundings. Shivute says, “As an artist, I am only inspired by my environment, recycled or used materials, and the feel of things made by hand… I feel that my art reflects a unique Namibian identity, as well as my own identity as an artist struggling to survive in the world.”

In recent years, Shivute’s practice has expanded to include large-scale metal sculptures, created by welding together metal sheets and bars to form figurative pieces. He also carves soapstone sourced from local quarries on the outskirts of Windhoek. While his soapstone sculptures are sometimes figurative, they are often abstract. The artist’s philosophical and meditative approach to carving results in works that are both formally sophisticated and deeply contemplative.

Shivute has participated in numerous group exhibitions locally and internationally, and held a solo exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Namibia in 2016. In 2017, he exhibited in StArt Art Gallery’s ‘Being Here’ exhibition and was part of a duo in the 2018 ‘Side by Side’ exhibition, curated by StArt Art Gallery at the Goethe-Institut in Windhoek. In 2022, he held a solo exhibition titled ‘I Keep My Circle Small’ at Fresh ‘n Wild at Utopia in Windhoek. Additionally, he participated in the ‘African Galleries Now’ (2022) and ‘Baker’s Bay Artists’ Retreat’ group exhibitions (2022 and 2023). The group exhibition ‘Slow Burn’— presented by SMAC Gallery and held in Stellenbosch—marks the artist’s most recent showcase (2025).

Collections: National Art Gallery of Namibia, John Muafangejo Art Centre (Namibia), Government of the Republic of Namibia, USAID (Switzerland), Tulipamwe International Artists Workshop Collection (Namibia), Omuntu Gardens (Namibia), US Embassy in Windhoek, Namibia, NAMDEB (Namibia), OMDis Oranjemund (Namibia), Jasper House Museum, Oranjemund (Namibia).

Private Collections: Namibia, the Netherlands, USA, France, South Africa.