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My Story – From Nakara Carpets to Ocean Painters

My name is Ute Elisabeth Niebrügge, née Grewe. Many people, however, may still remember me by my former name, Ute Hennings, under which I became known as a designer and the founder of Nakara Carpets in Namibia and South Africa.

My creative journey in Africa began many years ago in Namibia. After studying design in Germany, I made Namibia my home. On Farm Heusis near Windhoek, I began experimenting with Namibian sheep’s wool and developing my own carpet designs.

From the very beginning, I wanted to work with natural materials and to create something that truly belonged to Africa. The wool was washed, spun and prepared by hand, while the carpets themselves were hand-tufted on carpet frames. My designs were inspired by the landscapes, natural structures, shapes and colours surrounding me in Namibia.

Featured in SCHÖNER WOHNEN – 1990

In June 1990, the renowned German interior and design magazine SCHÖNER WOHNEN featured my work in an article titled “Teppiche direkt vom Schaf” – “Carpets Straight from the Sheep.”

The article documented the early days of my carpet production in Namibia and showed me, then known as Ute Hennings, together with my team and one of our large handmade carpets.

One of the designs shown in the article was inspired by the stones of a paved village square – a wonderful example of how everyday surroundings could become the starting point for a completely new carpet design.

The Birth of Nakara Carpets

From these beginnings, Nakara Carpets developed and grew. Over the years, my carpets were presented and sold in Namibia, South Africa and Germany, and my work was featured in various newspapers and magazines.

What fascinated me was not simply making a carpet. It was the entire creative process: taking a natural African material, developing an idea and a design, and then creating something distinctive by hand.

That philosophy has stayed with me throughout my life.

From Wool to Canvas

Today, I live and work in Namibia, and with Ocean Painters in Swakopmund I have started a new creative chapter.

The materials may have changed – from wool and carpet frames to canvas and acrylic paint – but the idea behind my work remains remarkably similar.

I believe creativity should be experienced, not just observed.

With Ocean Painters, I want to encourage people to discover their own creativity, to enjoy making something with their own hands and to experience the extraordinary atmosphere of Namibia at the same time.

For me, Ocean Painters is therefore not simply a new project. It is a continuation of a creative journey that began in Namibia more than three decades ago.

From Nakara Carpets to Ocean Painters – the materials have changed, but my passion for creating has remained.

Ute Elisabeth Niebrügge
formerly Ute Hennings
Designer · Founder of Nakara Carpets · Founder of Ocean Painters

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