From village sands to exhibitions:

For many, village sands are simply the ground beneath their feet. For Elia Shiwoohamba, however, those sands became his first canvas – the very beginning of a journey that would grow into a professional artistic career.

Elia Shiwoohamba grew up in a small village in the Ohangwena Region, where his love for art first took shape. What began as a childhood pastime drawing animals in the sand soon revealed itself to be something deeper. It was not merely play, but a growing passion and a natural talent that could not be ignored. Those early sketches in the soil marked the foundation of an artistic journey rooted in creativity and self-expression.

Determined to pursue his dream, Elia later moved to Windhoek, where he attended John Muafangejo Art Centre. There, he was introduced to a wide range of creative disciplines such as drawing, textile design, ceramics and printmaking. Although he explored multiple mediums, his heart was drawn to printmaking and sculpture. These would ultimately become the fields in which he would later establish his professional identity.

“My art was always clean like a professional,” shares Elia. “I had to pretend to be a professional first before I became one.”

As his talent developed, so too did his audience. Elia’s work soon reached beyond Namibia’s borders, gaining recognition on international platforms. He travelled to various countries, including Germany and Dubai, where he not only sold his artwork but also hosted workshops, sharing his skills and creative process with wider audiences.

His exhibitions are on show at Sweet Side of Thingz, and he also recently exhibited his work at the Omba Art Gallery at the Namibia Craft Centre. These experiences allowed him to grow both as an artist and as an ambassador of Namibian art. Elia specialises in sculpture, working with materials such as wood and stone, as well as printmaking, using techniques like linocut and cardboard printing. His work often features both striking black-and-white prints and vibrantly coloured compositions. Despite the diversity of his materials, a consistent thread runs through his art: a deep connection to nature, particularly the wildlife of Etosha National Park. Inspired by the uniqueness of these animals, Elia transforms them into expressive pieces that resonate with local and international audiences alike.