Thapong Centre braces for Gabs Art 2007

GASEBALWE SERETSE
Staff Writer | Friday September 21, 2007 00:00

 

'Thapong has identified that artists in Botswana and the entire region (SADC) are facing challenges which need to be addressed during the workshop, ' said Bakwena. The youthful Bakwena, who is also an artist in his own right, listed some of the challenges that artists face. These include lack of a market for their works and networking, shortage of sponsorship, lack of training and promotion of contemporary art.

Some of the primary objectives of the workshop include addressing challenges faced by artists in the SADC region and Central Africa, facilitating exchanges of experiences between artists and offering artists an opportunity to present views on contemporary art in their respective countries.

Bakwena stated that there will some discussions between the participants and art experts and a practical workshop on painting and sculpture.

'The workshop will end with an international exhibition as well as a group discussion conducted by experts including those from Thapong, the University of Botswana, the French Embassy and delegates from ENSBA-Paris and government officials, 'explained Bakwena. Local participants include Andrew Matseba, Ray Gare, Isaac Chibua, Veryan Edwards, Doreen Perekisi, Moses Maremelela, Joseph Piet, Modirwa Kekwaletswe, Cyril Ndolo, Rantefe Mothebe and Kentse Bogatsu. International participants include Stary Mwaba (Zambia), Patrick Mautlo (South Africa), Johannes Petrus (Namibia) Soly Cisse (Senegal), Ousseynou Wade (Es Dakar't), Harun Abdul Suamade (Mozambique), Mmathakane Makara (Lesotho), Pedro Jemeios Tember (Mozambique), Christine Eyene (France, Melingui Ambani (Cameroon) and Goody Leye (Cameroon).

The facilitators will be Richard Deacon (France) and Bakwena. The sponsors of the event are Culture France, French Embassy and Thapong Visual Arts Centre.