Thapong members' exhibition eye-catching

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Monday May 5, 2025 06:00

The exhibition, mounted at Thapong Visual Arts Centre, is meant to showcase the artists’ work and offer them an opportunity to sell. It also allows the artists to interact, exchange and share information on their artistic practices with each other and the community. It will also help to stimulate cultural creativity and self-expression through art. The exhibition further presents works of well-established artists. It aims to build art appreciation among locals and help develop the quality of artworks by local artists. The exhibition also aims to foster a spirit of national cohesion by hosting artists from different parts of the country, thereby celebrating the cultural diversity of the Botswana nation.

The exhibition attracted 30 male artists and eight females. They showcased different styles of making artworks such as painting (92), mixed media (4), ceramic (4), pottery (2), drawing (10), crafts (3), tapestry (5) and sculptures (2). Among some of the impressive artworks on display are a leather art by Thabiso Setlhabi titled Serurubele Same. Ronald Kegomoditswe also painted an artwork depicting a home setup. Zlatko Puskas’ piece titled Victory also catches the eye. This year’s exhibition also featured guest artists from Oodi Weavers. Oodi Weavers create products such as wall hangings, cushion covers, and bedspreads. They are not only beautifully crafted but also tell a story of village life and traditions. Their intricate designs and vibrant colours used in the weavings reflect the rich cultural heritage of the local community and serve as a reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating traditional craftsmanship. Thapong Visual Arts Centre coordinator Reginald Bakwena explained that this year’s exhibition was impressive compared to the previous year. He said the artists showed a lot of improvement in their artworks, something which was not the case last year. “This year’s exhibition is quite good. I am very impressed. It shows that the artists listen to us when we engage and understand that we want them to improve. The members’ exhibition gives us an opportunity to criticize each other without fear or favour. That is the only way we can improve,” Bakwena said.

However, Bakwena warned artists about copyright and infringement. He said it remains a concern amongst artists, especially when drawing portraits. “It is a concern, especially if we don’t acknowledge the original producers of the work. Even when drawing a portrait of the President, you should acknowledge the photographer who took that photograph. We expect them to be creative and come up with their ideas. We shouldn’t be shy to talk about these things, because at the end of the day, we are there to advise each other,” he added.