Thapong Members' second exhibition underway

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Thursday July 29, 2010 00:00

The exhibition, which opened last Friday, ends in a fortnight's time.

Interestingly, the show has not only attracted better quality works than the first one but it has also drawn some of the big names in the industry.

One of the most intriguing pieces on display is Ziki Kraai's sculpture captioned Beyond Pollution. The piece addresses the thorny issue of environmental pollution as the title suggests and this particular work is inspired by the controversial oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, which is currently making headlines.

Kraai said of the piece: 'The sculpture represents my observation of what is happening in the Gulf of Mexico. Its consequences are beyond understanding, but intuitively one feels that something dangerous, menacing, a threat to life and the livelihoods of fellow human beings is unfolding.'

The sculpture captures the deadly spill with media such as steel, wood and oil paint. In this engaging piece, the artist made 'oil drums' pierced with nails to illustrate the seriousness of the matter, which has infuriated United States of America (US) President Barack Obama and other world leaders. Kraai's piece clearly shows that most artists are 'green' people and that they can also add their voices to protest against things that have a negative impact on the global environment.

Olorato Temogo and another artist whose artwork is not labelled have brought something fresh into the exhibition with their oil on board pieces.  Sadly the unnamed artist's frame is falling apart and this might distract the viewers from the piece, which is otherwise breathtaking.

Self-taught Ulf Nermak has also showcased two interesting pieces, Me, Myself (I) and Tree Woman. The former depicts a naked man curled up in what looks like a confined space and all these elements seem to suggest 'self-centredness' or the 'loneliness' of the subject.

The other piece, Tree Woman is equally intriguing in that it captures a portrait of a woman whose plaited hair is cleverly 'intertwined' with tree branches to create an illusion that it is part of them, hence the apt title. There is no doubt that these are some of Nermark's beautiful works ever. Ivy Radipodi's cold-water dye and acrylic on canvas painting I Am Who I Am is also a beauty to behold. Although abstract, one could deduce from the piece that the artist was engaged in some bit of self-introspection when she came up with the work.

Kefilwe Mokopane, who likes painting brightly coloured semi-abstract works, has come up with oil on canvas piece, Tlatlana. Although at first sight this looks like a realistic work, a closer inspection would suggest that it could be labelled as semi-abstract. Of late the Tlokweng-based teacher seems to be trying out new subjects and themes in his works. 

Award-winning Motswana sculptor, Steven Diseko has displayed a mixed media sculpture namely The Village.Diseko's impressive works might not necessarily be pleasing to a novice's eye, but there is no doubt that his concepts are mind-blowing.

Dithapelo Mathaio, who has recently joined the centre, is also destined to make an impression with his untitled mixed-media piece.   The way he played with colour to make this artwork a beauty will most certainly win him more fans.

Other pieces to look out for at the exhibition include Mmoloki Matlale's Burcells and Rakops West; Tebogo Motaung's sculpture Akanyang; Phemelo Radipodi's Pot In Da Ceramic; Oarabile Lonana's Africa Basket; and Kebofhe Mathe's What's Up.  Speaking to Showbiz during an interview, Patrick Matlapeng of Thapong said that he was happy that the presentation at the exhibition was better. 'This exhibition is a prelude to the Annual Thapong Artist of the Year Award, which is going to be held pretty soon; so it is not surprising that the pieces on display are this good,' he said.