As the 2025 Artist-in-Residence of the William Humphreys Art Gallery (Whag) in Kimberley, Ulric Namasun Roberts will create new works inspired by his ongoing exploration of heritage, identity and the landscape.
The residency of this Northern Cape-based visual artist commenced on 24 February, and includes public engagements, workshops and a solo exhibition at Whag – which will open on 27 March. This marks a significant milestone as Roberts’ first museum exhibition and the first of its kind in his home province.
“We are excited to see how his residency will inspire the community and the broader artistic landscape,” says Chepape Makgato, chief curator of Whag.
“His ability to weave together history, landscape, and personal identity makes him an invaluable addition to our Artist-in-Residence programme. This exhibition will be based on memory and walking, where Namasun pays homage to his late father who taught him many things. Namasun uses the concept of walking to connect to the ground and with those who came before him,” Chepape says.
Roberts’ work is deeply rooted in the cultural and natural landscape of Namaqualand, embodying a connection to heritage, storytelling, and the land.
Artistic journey began in childhood
Born in 1976, Roberts grew up in Macassar in the Western Cape before returning to Namaqualand in the early 2000s. His artistic journey began in childhood and was nurtured by his parents, leading him to formal training at the Andrew Owen School of Art in Somerset West, where he specialised in oil painting.
His expressive use of colour and texture draws inspiration from Vincent van Gogh’s expressionism, and his practice has been shaped by the mentorship of the renowned South African artist Dr Conrad Theys.
Roberts’ work is a celebration of Namaqualand’s striking landscapes, from its granite mountains and quiver trees to its wildflowers and petroglyphs found along the Orange River.
His signature incorporation of pointillism and orbs reflects both these natural elements and indigenous storytelling traditions. In his second solo exhibition he introduced himself as Namasun, a name that reflects his deep spiritual and artistic connection to his people and their histories.
Roberts has also played a key role in several community-based art initiatives, including the Kai Kai Mosaic Project in Port Nolloth, Steinkopf-Richtersveld Arts and Craft Project, and the Genadendal Women’s Day Artistic Workshop and Mural in collaboration with artist Sophie Peters. His work was also seen in several exhibitions and his paintings featured on the covers of publications.
Whag’s Artist-in-Residence programme provides a platform for artistic development and cultural exchange, fostering creativity and engagement between artists and the community.
- Art lovers, learners and other members of the public are invited to engage with his residency, taking place until 31 March. His exhibition will be on view until May.
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