Dikgosigadi exhibition showcases unique artistic motifs

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday October 8, 2023 06:00

The exhibition was organised by art curator Thabo Kgatlhwane as part of the planned Game City mall’s 21st anniversary celebrations in partnership with the mall owners, Turnstar Holdings, to offer support to female visual artists.

Under the theme, ‘Unapologetically Fierce’, the event was a six-woman art show featuring some of Botswana’s top female visual artists such as Ann Gollifer, Tshepo Phokoje, Kelebogile Marope, Kim Makim, Naledi Maifala and Shirley Kadziya. The curator said the theme was chosen as it resonates a lot with the women being at the forefront of the event.

Additionally, it resonated with the Setswana idiom that says “Mosadi thari ya sechaba”, which loosely translates to a woman is a pillar of a nation, and was befitting as the nation celebrated independence. The exhibition lived up to its billing as art enthusiasts feasted their eyes on the artists’ distinctive art pieces displayed across the busy mall’s pathway.



Artists’ different forms of expression and subject matters were easily recognisable making the event a very interesting show for viewers. The setting made it easy for mall clients to stop by and view the displayed artworks. Most people stopped by and asked questions as a result of curiosity raised by the art pieces. One of the artists Phokoje, who is a nature and wildlife photographer, displayed some of her photographs from her two recent solo exhibitions. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to showcase at the event. Whilst she bemoaned the slow sale of her art pieces, Phokoje stated that the exhibition was another opportunity to expose art to the masses.

Through her photographs, she believes she is serving her purpose in life, which is more than just raising awareness about the beauty of the motherland and its conservation; as such she wants to see every household or office space with a display of her work. Another artist Marope said this exhibition was a great opportunity for artists to expose their work to people they would not have met had it been at a gallery. She said this would in the long run improve their clientele as many people who passed by showed keen interest in the work they do.

“It is such a refreshing exhibition in that it is done in a mall and I get a sense that we meet people that are not really accessible when we mount this in an art gallery.

You get a feeling that there is a lot of interest. It gives satisfaction when people ask questions,” she said. Marope’s artworks can be both difficult to understand and fascinating to a layman. Most of her artworks reflect uniquely nostalgic aesthetics that bring forth original ideas and a recreation of home objects. Meanwhile, Maifala’s painting titled Matthew: 26-27, is one of those that caught the eye. Kadziya’s drawing of a close-up lion’s face is also detailed and absorbing.

The exhibition was indeed captivating and inspiring. Prior to the exhibition, the curator had reiterated the importance of such events to the creative industry saying the event was very beneficial for the mall tenants and customers.For her part, Gamecity Mall marketing executive Pulane Majova said the mall is taking an intentional step towards promoting local arts and culture.

“We are providing a platform for various art groups, individuals, and organizations to host exhibitions and showcase their talents within the mall premises. We firmly believe that the arts have the power to address social injustices, bring communities together, and transcend language and cultural barriers,” Majova said. This exhibition is expected to be an annual event to celebrate more female artists in the future.