AMARYAH COLLECTION ART

In the past year, Namibia has celebrated a number of locals who proved to be innovative during the pandemic. But imagine trading the financial security of a monthly salary for a one-gal startup driven only by a ‘calling’, and then the world changes. Anesia Prior is a young woman who took the leap of faith right before the country was hit with COVID-19. She stuck it out and now her art has made it to our homes and to the walls of corporate companies.

Anesia is a 25-year-old Namibian, in the very “thankful position”, as she describes it, to be doing what she loves and making a living out of it. She is an artist, not by qualification, but by talent, developed skill and most importantly – heart.

Amaryah Collection was born after her father suddenly died in 2020. The business started out on the sideline, commissioning work for family friends until she could barely manage both the demand for her art and her nine-to-five job. She woke up one morning and decided to resign from her corporate job, a decision her mother immediately backed. Her father, too, had always supported her dreams and “It’s a good feeling knowing that he’s looking down and is proud of me”.

Artsy at a young age, Anesia always knew she had a hand to draw and she enjoyed attending art classes once a week when she was in primary school. Regarding further education in art, that was where it ended – in primary school. No art classes during high school, and at university she studied for a BCom. “Looking back, I regret not continuing with art classes or studying art after school, but throughout my life I’ve always had an urge to spend time artistically as I find it quite therapeutic and relaxing.”

On her way to hopefully host an art exhibition at the end of the year, Anesia’s workmanship using a number of mediums can be admired: charcoal, pastel, graphite, watercolour, acrylic paint, oil and ink. Many clients approach Anesia looking for custom pieces, and her most requested pieces at the moment are, to my surprise, oil paintings. On Instagram, I get lost scrolling through her single line sketches which also seem to be crazily popular and I just could not help myself – I’m expecting delivery of my order soon!

Amaryah means let it be done as God has promised. Anesia says it is what carries her through the moments of self-doubt and difficult days.

Keep up with Anesia’s talent via all the socials - Amaryah Collection Art on Instagram and Facebook, or to become an owner of one of her pieces or purchase one as a special and bespoke gift, contact anesiajoseph@gmail.com. Instagram: @amaryah_collection_art

Ena Visagie