Why is art important? Why should art generally exist? What’s the story behind why Nkwashi has art?
Art symbolizes a great many things, preserves our heritage and history as people, tells a story in more than one way, expresses that which cannot be explained and creates a beautiful environment. It exists for this and many other reasons best known to artists as well as to those looking at the art.
Everyone interprets things differently and perceives things in a different light too. In building a city, Nkwashi chooses to offer everything. Expressions, impressions, abstractions and more. As a way to keep the African heritage alive in a civilized way, Nkwashi has focused on building this city through art.
Every corner turned, every street turned to has a story, beautiful art bringing out a different aspect of life, real or surreal. Looking at the art one’s imagination runs wild assuming what the artwork entails and listening to the actual story gives several other angles to look at it from different points of view.
It feels like a dream and listening to the stories puts one in a state of awe in an unusual kind of calm, peace and pride. Which is what living here makes one feel.
Art is important to this city because it’s an opening into the cultural life of Africa. The art around reinforces different stories and norms of our society. Not only is it a reminder but also teaches us. The Adage is that “knowledge is power.” And having this power, knowledge, stories help us shape a better future for ourselves and makes us appreciate where we come from.
Nkwashi will not only a be a community people live in but a place people will want to experience life. A civilized African city in a city that people will want to visit. That shows our history as a nation and continent, that tells a story for.
