18 May 2016

Coordinator of BOT50 says the Thapong members’ exhibition provides a platform for Batswana to showcase and celebrate where the country comes from as people, what they stand for and what they represent.

Speaking at the beginning of the 3^rd calendar event of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, which was a members’ exhibition,  Charity Kgotlafela indicated that the exhibition takes place during a historic and very significant milestone as Botswana is celebrating 50 years of independence.

“This is our jubilee year and it is a special year as it marks a noteworthy journey of peace, stability and progress,” she said, adding that BOT50 is pleased and privileged to partner with the event.

She indicated that the exhibition seeks to recognise, promote and acknowledge the work of individual artists who were contributing towards the socio-economic development of their individual livelihoods and that of the country at large.

 Kgotlafela further noted that the exhibition also provides a platform for collaboration and networking between artists and their customers to share ideas and improve their work.

“The exhibition builds and inculcates art appreciation among Batswana, business and members of the community. It also gives exposure to the visual artists to express themselves through the medium and style which is best suited for their ideas in addressing social and political issues,” she said. Kgotlafela said BOT50 sees Thapong as a valuable development partner in the arts sector, hence it has engaged Thapong through the youth to develop signs for the 50^th independence celebrations throughout the country.

She said Botswana is diversifying the economy through the arts and culture as it was one of the areas currently in the main development agenda led by the ministry of Youth, Sport and Culture.

“The arts sector is critical to the good functioning of any economy as it complements the tourism sector,” she said, adding that arts and culture are a source of foreign exchange and also serve to reduce unemployment and poverty especially among the youth.

“I believe that art, just like sports, can contribute in boosting the economy and eradicating poverty in our country,” she said.For his part, coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre Reginald Bakwena said about 58 artists had taken part in the exhibition.

“The number could have been more but some of the artworks did not meet the set standards,” he said.He indicated that the exhibition was not meant as a competition where it would involve judging, but it was meant to help the artists move forward.

“We are preparing them for future competitions such as the President’s Day Competitions, Thapong Artist of the Year Award and independence celebrations among others. This exhibition is meant to test the quality of their work and see what we are working with,” he said.

He further said the message for the exhibition was professionalism, presentation and communication coming from someone’s artwork.“We wanted artworks that a customer would not mind hanging and displaying in their home, business or wherever,” he said.

 Bakwena indicated that some of the artworks that did not make it to the wall did not have a protective glass let alone a frame.

“Some people seem to not listen to clear instructions and we could not accept that kind of work because it would have meant we would be held liable if the artworks got damaged,” he said.He said some artists still fail in concept development, yet judges had always spoken about this.

Bakwena also said the originality and innovation of someone’s work was also important in progressing further. The exhibition is on for two weeks and would end on May 31. ENDS