Top Artist Laments Lack Of Growth

BABOKI KAYAWE
Staff Writer | Monday July 12, 2010 00:00

Ngoni has lamented stagnation in Botswana's visual artwork mainly because of limited art knowledge from the administrative side.

The artist, whose work expresses the complex thought of human mind, said the visual arts faculty is limited and growth inconsistent because administrators have limited themselves, resulting in monotony. 'Officials at local galleries have limited themselves as they are not creative enough, and it is sad that most of them have overstayed in such positions,' he said.

Ngoni said the just-ended World Cup has shown that structures in place especially  for presentation and exhibition of art works diminishes the value of art works, as gallery and museum presentations are not up to international standard. He said lack of hierarchy in exhibition results in what he likened to devaluation of artwork.

He argued that curators have to put structures in place that will enable growth, adding that grouping according to the level of expertise could help boost creativity. He said he does not feel threatened by upcoming talent but that as an artist he wishes to see the industry grow.

'That would mean that artists would know where to put their art work, and it could mean respect and understanding of what art is,' he said.

He added that art administrators influence the arts, as the way they think shapes the kind of products artists make. He decried that the manifestation of administrators' knowledge and running of the arts in the quality of art work often discourages artists from building strong foundations that can unlock the creativity and purpose required of art works.

'Though I am not the visual artists spokesperson, many of them see this but cannot voice it out as there is limited exhibition space in the country, which all of us need,' he said.

Ngoni, who said the soccer spectacular has been a learning exercise in the value of presentation in galleries and curatorship to artwork, said it also presented a business opportunity as he sold more than 10 art works, some to collectors from South Korea.