Thapong exhibition shines spotlight on local artists
Brilliant Manje | Monday December 22, 2025 10:03
The event was aimed at selling and showing the latest works to art lovers and potential buyers. It exhibition opened on Tuesday evening at the Thapong Visual Arts Centre.
Conversations dropped to a hush as visitors paused before each artwork, their footsteps echoing softly between the walls as they took in a room transformed into a visual feast. From the doorway. The exhibition felt like stepping into a visual love letter to Botswana, celebrating its people, culture, and the wildlife on one wall. A monochrome of still life of traditional artworks drew viewers in with their delicate shading, echoing the textures of rural homesteads and everyday setswana life.
On the finely shaded still lifes, a brooding charcoal portrait of a lion’s head seemed almost to breathe, the animal’s intense gaze anchoring the room as if reminding guests why Botswana is celebrated as a wildlife haven. Across the gallery, a vibrant painting of elephants feeding in a blue river and roaming through golden grasslands pulled together themes of tourism and conservation, mirroring the landscapes that attract travellers to the country’s national parks.
Speaking during the exhibition's opening, Thapong Director, Reginald Bakwena, said the exhibition was organised to sell and expose the “beautiful artworks” created by members of the centre, and to deepen appreciation of local talent. He encouraged visitors not just to admire the pieces but also to offer constructive criticism that would challenge artists to refine their craft and compete confidently in both local and international markets.
Bakwena further urged members to engage with one another, collaborate across styles, and learn from each other so that the centre continues to produce vibrant, world‑class artworks that speak to Botswana’s story.
Senior member Wilson Ngoni thanked Thapong for providing a platform where artists show their work to potential buyers and expand their networks. He noted that standing side by side with peers in the gallery allows artists to exchange ideas, techniques, and contacts, strengthening a creative community that often works in isolation.
For many exhibitors, the opportunity to see their pieces professionally hung and discussed by strangers was as valuable as any sale, affirming the long hours spent sketching, painting, and perfecting their visions.
The exhibition also marked a new chapter for Thapong, which recently launched an online platform to showcase members’ artworks to audiences beyond the digital shop window that complements the physical space. For visitors wandering through yesterday’s show, the knowledge that these images of Botswana’s culture and wildlife can now travel far beyond the whitewashed walls of the centre added an extra sense of momentum to the evening.