Motswana Painter Wins American Prize

The Vilcek Foundation (www.Vilcek.org) says the  prizes were designed to recognise and support emerging immigrant artists who have made outstanding contributions to American society, and each include a cash prize of $50,000.  Mokgosi is described as a  slow, considered painter; behind every painting he produces are hours of research, reading, and conversations with people.

Mokgosi is interested in depictions of Africa and its people; he believes that the widespread misrepresentation of Africa and Africans has done a violence to the people of the continent, and through his art, he attempts a representation that is fair and just, according to the Foundation. Mokgosi is also described as deeply concerned with politics, and seeks to understand and to illuminate the relations of power that shape people, families, villages, regions, and nations. Mokgosi has been named the recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Painters Grant and the Jarl and Pamela Mohn Award, he has shown his work at Art Basel, the Armory, the Hammer Museum, and the Whitney Museum.