03 Sep 2014

The arts and culture industry although greatly recognised for its role in the entertainment, creativity and preservation of culture spheres also has economic benefits to the society.


Speaking at the third Okavango Artist Association exhibition in Maun recently, the district youth coordinator, Onthatile Modise said the arts industry had untapped potential towards the economic development of Ngamiland and the entire economy. 


Modise said arts and culture was an economic driver in communities and advocated for the growth of the industry so that it creates jobs.
 She added that the arts and culture industry contributed to government revenue income generation and is the cornerstone of tourism. 


“Arts and culture contributes enormously to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of our economy,” she said.
The chief judge, Hebert Mwiba said the quality of work produced by the artists is a sign that there is plenty of talent in northern Botswana. 


He said that it was not an easy task to select overall award winners from the various categories of artworks such as photography, painting, sculpture and ceramics. 
 “We would like all participating artists to know that they should not be discouraged if they did not win an award, often it was the poor finish to an artwork that detracted the piece,” he said.


The first prize was scooped by Katongo Chisenga for his marvelous painting, Going to the Fields, which portrays a farmer with two donkeys crossing the river.
 Second prizes went to Tim Liversedge for his sculpture, Jacana and Christiane Stolhofer for her, Dance of Life.


The third prizes went to Stuart Arnold for his photograph, Born in a Drought Year, Malaki Sembumburu for his painting, Colourful Enemies and Katongo Chisenga for his painting, Back Then.


Highly recommended works included Katongo Chisenga’s painting, I Miss Home, Aletta Brown’s sculpture, Gateway Angel and Kaisara Ntema’s painting, Wisdom of Age. Ends