Namibian tourism exhibitions set for Asia
…as Mutelo, Gray collaborate to showcase Namibian wildlife
By Hilary Mare
THE Embassy of Namibia to Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Tomor Leste in collaboration with Rachel Gray, a Malaysian based British coral painter artist will showcase Namibia as a tourism destination through planned art exhibitions in these various countries.
The exhibitions which will run between May 2019 and May 2020 and are also meant to celebrate the birthday of Namibia’s founding father, Dr Sam Nujoma.
Gray who was in Namibia to capture the beauty of the country for exhibition on invitation of Anne Namakau Mutelo, Ambassador of Namibia to Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Tomor Leste told Confidente that she had experienced the beauty of Namibia and was keen to showcase what she described as a priceless tour and experience.
“I am looking forward to the exhibitions. The dates are not yet set but I am excited about this exhibition because Namibia has so much to share in terms of wildlife. I was here because when I paint images of these animals for the exhibition I prefer to have a realistic view and human feel to the images rather than doing it from google images. Namibia has a lot because it has different types of land from the desert to the ocean. I have loved it here and I don’t think two weeks is enough,” she said.
During her tour, where she says she harnessed thousands of images, Gray visited various tourist destinations such as Bwabwata National Park, Mudumu National Park, Dorob National Park, Namib Naukluft Park, Etosha National Park and many others.
Although it is not yet clear whether the exhibition will be named after the founding father, Gray highlighted that it would be good if the exhibition can be brought back to Namibia so that the locals can also experience it and be encouraged to travel around the country for tourism.
“I am eager to come back and I hopeful that this exhibition can be also organized in Namibia to promote domestic tourism.”
Gray has always had a passion for both animals and paint. These hobbies lead her to become a fully qualified Artist and Illustration and Animation University Lecturer.
She has been a professional Pet & Wildlife Portrait artist for over 10 years and has painted everything from Chihuahua’s to Great Danes. However, her work has also taken her from painting pedigree cats to show ponies, race horses, lizards and all shapes and sizes of wildlife. Her work is known for it’s unbelievable understanding of colour but mostly for her ability to capture the animals character, spirit and nature though the art of digital painting.
Gray was the first female British artist to have a Solo Exhibition at the Malaysian National Art Gallery.
“It’s as real achievement for Rachel Gray to be the first British female solo artist to exhibit in Malaysia’s National Visual Arts Gallery, particularly in this special year as the gallery marks its 60th anniversary. The historic Malaysian-British relationship is one of modern partnership and mutual respect. Exhibitions like these demonstrate how we can enrich both of our cultures in the spirit of collaboration. I hope that the artistic exchange embodied in today’s exhibition is something that will continue to flourish in both Malaysia and the UK,” as David Thomas, Deputy British High Commissioner at the time.
You can follow Gray on instagram rachelgray.art