Jean-Claude opens Unseen at NAA
People sometimes wonder what goes through his mind when they see him pointing his camera up to what looks like nothing.“I notice where the roofs, windows, and corners of buildings meet the skies. The contrast in the colours, the reflections on the windows, and the textures.”
This is what Jean-Claude Tjitamunisa says of his exhibition Unseen which opened at the Namibian Arts Association (NAA) in the capital last night.
Unseen showcases his work as an architectural, boudoir, conceptual, and fashion photographer, as well as a digital visual artist.
Jean-Claude has been doing architectural photography for four years and still cannot get enough of capturing buildings. This body of work is a combination of the different architectural styles throughout Windhoek.
“Each building has a different personality and story. What’s most intriguing are the cracks on the walls, the rust, and the peeling paint,” he said.
He said that growing up, he excelled academically but was very artistic, too. “I could draw exceptionally well, and I could sing and play several instruments. Yet these skills were not celebrated. The lack of encouragement made me pursue a more traditional education. I would never have imagined myself as a photographer or a visual artist. Yet, today I am an architectural, boudoir, conceptual, and fashion photographer, as well as a digital visual artist.
“Because of my wild imagination, religious influences, and open-minded approach to life, I believe I see what others might miss. I bring subjects to life through a combination of photography and graphic design. I believe this much is true - the finer things in life are for those who see beyond what everyone sees as they see possibilities of tomorrow.”
The artist himself hosts a walkabout on Saturday (20 August) at 10:00.
The exhibition can be viewed until 26 August.