50 years of Botswana�s visual arts

During this 50-year-period, through their artistic eyes, Botswana visual artists had reflected a nation that was going under a lot of transformation after independence in 1966. As the world was slowly changing before their eyes, these artists helped construct Botswana’s tradition and national identity.

It was not all easy for these artists because most people did not know about art except a few self-taught artists and expatriates from Western countries. Botswana’s contemporary art scene at the time was restricted to baskets and pottery. The crafts dominated the sales and there was a little room for painters and sculptors. Still today, visual arts categories such as traditional pottery, leatherwork, woodcarving, beadwork, lekgapho, and basket weaving play a better role in preserving Botswana’s culture.