Lunga exhibits culmination of life experiences
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Saturday September 24, 2022 06:00
To cement his status and carve a name for himself as a fulltime artist, the Mmadinare-born is set to host his third solo exhibition titled, ‘Humanity’ or ‘Motho ke motho ka batho’ at Molapo Crossing ArtCase Gallery from November 5-17, 2022
This Exhibition is curated by Neelo Management & Consultancy, a creative hub that specialises in creative development and arts management. According to Neelo Lentebanye, the solo exhibition is the culmination of the artist’s life experiences and connection with people.
Lentebanye explained that this is Lunga’s way of trying to define all of that through his work. “He is a believer in the good of humankind. Therefore, through the artworks he encompasses everything that touches on being human, both in feeling and in physicality. Expected themes to surface are togetherness, brotherhood, peace, kindness, revolution, re-birth, love, etc,” she said. Lentebanye also explained that the exhibition will happen in two phases; the launch night, which we will strictly be by invite on November 5, while public viewing will commence on November 6.
She stated that the exhibition is expected to display 30 paintings created from different mediums. In an interview with Arts & Culture, Lunga described himself as an experimental artist who uses charcoal, oil paintings, newspapers, fabric and coffee to interrogate ordinary everyday life of the society he lives in.
The artist is currently based in Oodi. He describes himself as an artist whose attention to detail and powerful abstract representation charge emotions and inspire hope. Sharing his life story, Lunga said he discovered his talent in 2016 at Mmadinare Senior School after being challenged to produce a portrait of himself in order to be accepted into an Art class. He then started excelling more at Art compared to other subjects at school and decided to pursue it full time. He made his first group exhibition, which was also his first ever exhibition with Ronald Kegomoditswe in 2018.
Since then, he has participated in numerous exhibitions locally including Francistown Arts Meet in 2019 and Thapong Members Exhibition in 2020. He then went on to showcase two of his first solo exhibitions themed ‘Shimi' and ‘Kopano’ at the Duck in Maun in 2021 and 2022 respectfully.
Amongst some of the buyers of his work locally include both government and private entities such as the Ministry of Youth, Gender, Sport and Culture, the Customary Court of Appeal and the Ministry of Health. He said some of his art works are currently on display at Ninety 3rd Studio in Setlhoa Village. Ticket fee for the exhibition is P100.