Skulptors stand tall
Spira Tlhankane | Friday November 16, 2018 13:14
The category has not been growing that much over the years because artists sometimes feel that working with hard wood, metal or stone to make a sculpture is one of the hardest things to achieve.
Last week while the best and deserving visual artists in Botswana got the fruits of their labour at the 14th edition of Thapong Artist of the Year Awards (TAYA), sculptors were the biggest winners after Prika Ntolo Makosha did an outstanding job with his motorcycle made from bones, wood and metal.
His artwork was impressive enough to hand him this year’s best TAYA worth P45,000.
With painting, installation, photography and drawing artworks always threatening the top prize in the gallery hallway, Makosha’s three-wheeled motorcycle explores the link between the pieces of bones, wood and metal used to make the masterpieces.
While the artist himself explained that he wanted to use materials, which are usually rendered useless, Makosha outlines his emphasis on shape and touch.
The 40-year-old Thamaga-born artist says natural objects in his surrounding always inspire him no wonder he had used bones, wood and metal in creating his artworks.
The second best TAYA award worth P25,000 went to Tumelo Malwetsi’s crotchet threads art piece. In the painting category, Lecha Mosinyi won P12,000 while Moemedi Sebonego won the best drawing prize.
Ogopoleng Kgomoethata once again scooped the photography award as Michael Gadise walked away graphic design.
Juniors and senior schools students from all over the country were given a chance to participate in the BTC phonebook cover competition.
Out of the 10 finalists. seven were given P2,000.00 each as a consolation prize.
In the end, Ted Makwatse from St. Joseph’s College won the competition and prize money of P40,000.
Obed Stephen from Lotsane won the second prize worth P20,000. while Tshepiso Kgafela from Naledi Senior School won third prize worth P10,000. Teachers of the students were hailed for their contribution in the students’ good work.