14 Sep 2014

Exhibition is imperative because it gives artists a platform to express their experience as well recognise their contribution in the reflection of Botswana’s history, Brand Botswana executive director, Esther Norris has said.

Speaking at the 2014 Independence celebration arts and crafts legends exhibition Friday, September 12, Norris said exhibition was also important because people derived great pleasure in the great experience of being part of the gathering that included artists and craft producers.

Again, she said exhibitions existed to preserve, promote and develop structures by empowering creative arts and cultural industries.

She added that it also strived to be dynamic as a creative team that upholds the quest for excellence in the development of the arts and culture.

In other issues, Norris said government has undertaken a number of programmes geared towards promotion and development of the country.

She further said development and implementation of programmes were guided by Vision 2016, the Botswana Excellence Strategy as well as the tenth National Development Plan (NDP10).

The purpose for undertaking the programmes, she said was meant to strengthen development of economy sectors, eradicate poverty and bring pride and dignity to Batswana.

Norris further noted that government has further made a deliberate plan to avail opportunities to market its goods and services so that Batswana could take pride in their achievements and make a living out of their efforts.

She also indicated that Batswana artists were making the country proud in the international arena, adding that exchange visits were undertaken and Botswana exhibited at the Africa Art Exhibition in Santiago, Chile last year in November where a local baskets and woodcarvings received considerable appreciation from viewers.

Norris further said four young artists were sent to China for attachment in November and in effort to promote local designers and their presence, Botswana sent three fashion designers and two models to the Africa Fashion week Toronto last month where Black Trash won best International fashion designer award.

She said Botswana’s exhibitions were both for leisure and educational purposes, hence legends who have passed on like Mme Ankie from D’kar in the Ghanzi District who played a pivotal role in the establishment of the Kuru Art Project and Mme Qoise who made Botswana popular by being one of the artist who were selected to paint the tail of a British Airline aircraft.

Meanwhile one of the artists,Mokwadi Gontshwanetse told BOPA that his illustration focused more on children because they were curious in art.

He said he liked realistic paintings and on display his picture that depicted a man and his son who lived a one-room house they used as a bedroom, kitchen and sitting room. The painting, he said clearly portrayed a poverty stricken family.  ENDS