Namdeb Artists' Retreat 2022, Bakers Bay
Applications for the 2022 Namdeb Artists’ Retreat are now closed.
As part of the OMDis Art Can Transform project, an Artists’ Retreat was held at Bogenfels in 2021. This project laid the groundwork for a truly unique and sought-after experience which is set to become an annual event on the Namibian arts calendar.
For 2022, contemporary Namibian artists are invited to apply to attend the Namdeb Artists’ Retreat between 1-16 October 2022 at Baker’s Bay in the Tsau //khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park. The application process seeks to find professional artists who are interested in the unique biodiversity/geology/environment of the area as well as its rich social and mining history. Accepted artists will be asked to use their specific style and medium to create artworks responding to this unique environment.
Applications will be evaluated primarily on the quality of examples of previous work as well as the motivations given. Applications will be considered from artists working in the following mediums: visual arts (painting, sculpture, installation, printmaking, etc.) performance, creative writing, photography, and videography.
On arrival in Oranjemund the selected artists will be introduced to the fascinating mining town and be taken on a familiarisation tour of the natural and human environment, including being introduced to geological concepts, environmental aspects, and historical areas. Artists will be driven to Baker’s Bay, a rustic, deserted mining outpost in the Tsau //khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park. Converted former mining accommodation will house the artists who will be isolated together for the duration of the retreat. The resulting artworks will then be exhibited in Oranjemund and later on in Windhoek. A catalogue of the artworks will also be produced and published physically and online.
Artists will be supplied with:
- Transport to Oranjemund from Windhoek and back again on the 1st and 16th October
- Accommodation for the duration of the trip
- Food for the duration of the trip
Artists must:
- Present a valid police clearance no older than 12 months old (this is required for the Restricted Area Permit to enter the mining license). This police clearance takes approximately a week to obtain and a certified copy thereof as well as a certified copy of the successful applicant’s ID must be submitted before the 2nd of September.
- Be available for the full duration of the retreat
- Bring their own art materials
- Be willing to share a room with other artists
- Be ready to pitch in with cooking and maintaining a clean environment, all meals will be prepared communally.
- To donate one artwork to Namdeb for permanent display in Oranjemund OR in the case of artists whose medium does not lend itself to this kind of donation, be willing to give a ‘Master class’ in their chosen medium to members of the arts community in Oranjemund. In this case the artist will be asked to remain in Oranjemund for two additional days after the 16th October.
- Be aware that Baker’s Bay is uninhabited and extremely remotely located (130km from Oranjemund), in a rugged desert environment next to the ocean. There is no cellphone signal, contact with Oranjemund is only via a radio.
