12 May 2014

Thapong Arts and Visual Centre hosted a magnificent first class members’ art exhibition on Friday evening (May 9) which explored self-presentation of contemporary art practice in Botswana.

The exhibition showed hunger by many artists who have made a name for themselves through a classic dialogue amongst artists and the audience.

Thapong, which is in final stages of renovation, with the input of Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB), looks astonishing every day and members unleashed contemporary art in all diversity.

Speaking at the exhibition, DTC Botswana public and corporate affairs manager, Kago Mmopi, said the standard and quality of artworks have shown significant improvement over the years.

Mmopi also said DTC Botswana had been involved with the arts since its inception in 2008 and a few months ago made an investment in the arts, in the renovation of the Thapong Art Gallery.

“Art should be exhibited in a good environment and we foresee increased traffic of art lovers as Gaborone transforms into an international diamond trading centre,” he said.

Thapong members’ exhibition brings together artworks by up and coming artists alongside professional artists from previous exhibitions.

Veteran artist and Thapong Artist of the Year 2009, Uhuru Kgope did not disappoint the audience with some exquisite pieces of self-portrait art of different human faces, depicting vast expressions of mood on a canvas and dark textures of black and white, with different mediums of art.

Kgope’s experience shone on a particularly portrait that was one of the night’s highlights, titled Young Lady.

In addition, Saroj Shuklar, a Spiritual Healing Artist, also provided some diversity with her artworks.

She presented pieces that were colourful, yet with a therapeutic message behind each of them.

Some of her artworks were Angel Heart and Flower Energy, Shukular said the Angel Heart had a spiritual meaning of the different layers in the painting protecting the heart and it brought immense calmness in a person watching them.

“The Flower Energy painting is a depiction of the reproductive system and it is also a spiritual healing art form that can be displayed in the sitting area or the bedroom as it helps with sleeping better,” she said.  ENDS