Famed Spanish artist Pablo Picasso once said: "There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun". Today, looking at the recently completed mural, one cannot help but admire the beauty in the words of the great craft man. Ten artists from Thapong have proved Picasso's words true as they turned a plain white wall on the western part of the Gaborone Mall into an attractive artwork that has not only created interest but has ignited debate.
The big colourful mural is visible even from far on the eastern side of the Ministry of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism headquarters building. Such artistic works are common in cities like Johannesburg where good stories have been told through works of art in such places as the Market Theatre. The creation of the mural at the ministry headquarters is seen as a step in the right direction for local arts. It is seen as a means to give the capital city a new artistic meaning. The mural is a combination of both abstract art and realist pieces. On the bottom left of the big painting are two zebras' heads facing the same direction. Just above the heads are the stripes reminiscent of those of the zebra's. On the top right corner appears some mowana trees with a dark blue horizon just above them. Because this was supposed to be a really attractive piece, the use of colours would be key in ensuring that it attains the desired aim. Hence the use of very bright colours like yellow, orange and red creating flowers and shrubs.
