21 Jan 2016

With only 10 days left before the month of January concludes and along with it the Thapong Artist of the Year Award (TAYA) art exhibition, one may wonder what is in store for artists and art enthusiasts alike with the second month of the New Year and how has the TAYA art exhibition fared?

Speaking in an interview, coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Reginald Bakwena said the TAYA exhibition went well even though it was an end of the year exhibition.

“Some of our new artists sold out all of their artworks and looking at the fact that it was around the festive season when people hardly spend on things such as art, it was encouraging,” he said.

He further said even though they had a couple of shortfalls, overall it was an encouraging exhibition.

Bakwena was also optimistic about the government’s spending on artworks.

“The government also bought a couple of artworks and that is something that should be applauded. We are hoping for more purchases, not only from government, but also from the general populace. It shows that they support our artists and want to see us grow,” he said.

“Those who did not exhibit all of their art pieces should not despair,” he said, indicating that they had wanted to have more art pieces in the gallery, but it was not possible because of space limitations.

Speaking on what they have planned for the next two months, Mr Bakwena said a group of young artists will exhibit in February while in March they will also have a members’ exhibition.

“All of our members will exhibit on the month of March and this time around we will not be judging their artworks,” he said, adding that the sole purpose of the exhibition will be to expose their work to art lovers.

There are eight young people who will hold the art exhibition in February.

“It will be six men and two women exhibiting and we are hoping to either hold the exhibition for a week or two,” said Thatayaone Ramolapong, one of the young artists who will be participating in the February exhibition.

He indicated that they have not yet decided on the date of the art exhibition, but promised it would be communicated well on time.

Ramolapong further said the art exhibition will have artworks involving pottery, painting and drawing.

The exhibition includes both first timers and those that have exhibited before. Ends