National baskets and crafts on month-long display

MONKAGEI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Friday July 16, 2010 00:00

 

Kingly stuff, with rare decorations and designs.  Some jewellery carries pearly appearances as if they were made from seashells. But upon further examination one discovers that the jewellery was in fact made from a combination of paper material, beads, and uniquely cut ostrich eggshells, among others.

Leather works of rare beauty are also on show, so are royalty chairs, made from rare wood, animal skins, punctuated with exquisite designs and decor.

As the judges have also observed even the basket weaving tradition is fast-changing to suit the international market, the target of the majority of local basket and craft makers.

But the picture of poverty among the owners of the work refuses to go away, at least for now, despite government's efforts since three years ago, to stage this annual event whereby basket and craft makers would, free of charge have their works displayed, and sold for them throughout July. The National Museum and Art Gallery will collect and distribute the funds for the various artists, most of whom are based in the north of the country. As the National Basket and Art Exhibition opened on Tuesday at the museum this week, the absence of the craft and basket makers was conspicuous. As the chief judge read out the names of the winning weavers on the night - all women - only three showed up. The rest of the 33 winners could not be there to receive their awards, which included cash prizes.

The exhibition is an array of works that include categories such as beadwork, leatherwork, traditional pottery, woodcarving, ceramic, textile, basketry, glasswork, most promising artist, and Best in show.

Whilst many art admirers on the night spoke highly of the quality on display, another concern was the 'extremely low prices' of the artefacts. How such sophisticated works of art, some of them taking weeks to finish, can cost so little was a cause for concern for some art admirers who felt that lack of business skills among the artists may be depriving them of handsome returns.