Arts giants showcase at Protea Hotel
NNASARETHA KGAMANYANE | Monday August 18, 2025 06:00
The exhibition will feature Wilson Ngoni, Prince Tom, and Ronald Kegomoditswe, also famed as Ron de Artist. In an interview, Kegomoditswe explained that the exhibition is a collaborative effort to put their work out there for public consumption. He said Ngoni is a well-established artist with more than 30 years of experience in the industry, adding that it is an honor to exhibit alongside him and tap into his experience. “I have worked and exhibited with Tom when he was still at senior school. I love his consistency and dedication to his craft. The exhibition means a lot in terms of exposure. People need to see our work more often so that they know that we exist; that is how they can support our endeavors. I am also embarking on a journey to raise awareness and teach people about the importance of art in our communities and lives,” he said. Furthermore, he explained that they are looking to have more strategic collaborations in the future. Kegomoditswe pointed out that despite the talent that exists in the country, there is a limited market for art. “Botswana’s art market is relatively small, making it challenging to gain widespread recognition and financial stability,” he said. He added that limited funding opportunities, securing funding or grants for artistic projects is difficult, thus hindering creative freedom and project scope. He also said the cultural and artistic infrastructure and limited exhibition spaces, galleries, and art institutions in certain parts of the country restrict opportunities for showcasing work. Moreover, he said the first exhibition that he spearheaded was ‘The Life Of An Artist’, which was in Selebi Phikwe in 2016. He explained that it was followed by ‘The Genesis’. His first solo, which was curated by his mentor MotherK Masire in Gaborone between 2016 and 2017, where they did ‘The Best In Us’ at Selebi Phikwe. He added that he had not hosted a solo exhibition for 10 years, but plans to host one soon. “After seven years without exhibiting in my hometown, Selebi Phikwe, which is the heartbeat of my beginnings, I present to you my upcoming solo exhibition called ‘The Prodigal Son. It is a very personal exhibition, and it feels like standing at the crossroads of my life, refueling my soul with all the love and lessons of my hometown. Allow me to pour out a deeply personal retelling of the ‘Prodigal Son’ parable through my Art. The story of leaving, losing my way, and finding redemption that mirrors my journey back to these roots,” he explained.