San art set to survive the test of time

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday November 16, 2007 00:00

 

We should hold it in our hands, and we should not lose it for the sake of our children.' By the look of things, one can safely declare that this genre has and will continue to survive the test of time.  

According to some experts in San art, San artists started doing rock art thousands of years back and there are over 15,000 known San rock art sites in southern Africa, with the highest concentration found in places like Tsodilo Hills (Botswana), the Drankensburg Mountains (Lesotho and South Africa), Matopo Hills (Zimbabwe) and Brandberg and Twyfelfontein (Namibia).

Here in Botswana while some merafe are allowing their invaluable culture, art and tradition to slowly die away, it looks like the San are determined to preserve theirs. The Kuru Family of Organisations, whose mandate is to make sure that the San share resources and support one another for the sake of survival, has mounted the exhibition of contemporary artworks just to demonstrate that.

It must be mentioned that some of the San artists prefer to label their pieces with 'artist' names as opposed to full names.

One such artist is Sara whose Qae-Qane and Crows depict what appears to be San dancers, birds and a hyena. It must be understood that some of the San artworks are derived from traditional folktales and it is safe to assume that the piece is based on a folk tale.

One of the pieces to look out for at the exhibition, which is still running, is Qhagoao's oil on canvas titled Gemsbok, Elephant and Other Creatures. The predominantly yellow and maroon piece also features other animals like the porcupine, giraffe, tortoise and birds.

Dada, whose real name is Coex'ae Qgam has mounted a curious piece titled Worms and Qao-Qui (Birds). What is so strange about this piece is that the worms are larger than the birds. Is it not supposed to be the other way round? In real-life we know that birds feed on worms making the latter potential victims but in the picture it's the opposite.

Could the artist be trying to communicate something about victims being victors here?Also depicted in this picture are some trees and seeds.

Talking about her artistry the talented artist said, 'I do not see myself as just another artist. Being an artist is my heritage. It is part of my existence as much as being Ncoa Khoe (San) is part of my existence.'

Thamae Kaashe's piece Eland in D'kar cannot escape an art lover's eye. The oil on canvas piece captures an eland that must have wondered into the settlement of D'kar. For some reason, Kaashe painted a bicycle on the belly of the beast. Just behind the huge eland, there is a 'D'kar' signpost and a car traveling on a tarred road.

Like other artists, Kaashe has his own perception of art when he said. 'Art is like politics in your mind. You may dream of so many things or hear so many stories. Art is to put these things together, to give meaning to them and make them visual.'

Cq'ose Ntocox'o's Sand Grouses is one of the most awesome artworks at the exhibition and it is not surprising why the artist is regarded as one of the greatest San artists alive.

In 1997, her painting was chosen by British Airways to decorate one of their plane's tailfin and the artist became an instant celebrity. Sand Grouses depicts a group of sand grouses feeding behind some low bushes. An art collector's must-have indeed.

Although paintings dominate, the exhibition also features sculptures and ceramic pieces.

Among the sculptures are Walking Figure, Tcibi Dance, Chasing A Kori Bustard, Lovers, Female Kudu Grazing, Children's Games, Conversations, Dancing Men, The Dancers, Bird Man and Giraffe, Red Afrikaner Bull, Giraffe and Hornbill.

Other things on sale at the exhibition include books and calendars on or about the different San groups found in the Kalahari. 

These philosophical words from one of the San artists, Xgaiga Qhomtca may help some San art lovers understand why the genre has withstood all challenges thus far: Art starts with creation and will always be part of being human. As long as we live, our art will be there. It is like when you come upon a dried up plant that contains an edible tuber. You have to dig really deep to see where it started its life. That is where you will find food to eat. Art is like that. You have to dig deep to find its life (meaning).