18 May 2017

Thapong Visual Arts Centre coordinator, Reginald Bakwena says Botswana needs to invest in the arts by building art incubators around the country which would in turn be manned by qualified and passionate mentors looking to instil knowledge and develop skills for artists in those areas.

In an interview, Bakwena said even though the current state of arts in Botswana has grown, a lot still needs to be done by decentralising the arts from Gaborone to the rest of the country.

“We need other establishments like Thapong around the country and help artistes in those areas develop and hone their skills looking at what type and kind of art is prevalent in those areas. We need to teach them new skills and techniques but not bringing to them new art, rather they develop the art they have in that area because it is what they know,” he said.

He said a conducive environment for artists to thrive would also go a long way in making them impress customers in their areas leading to them putting food on the table.

“As artists we have different ways of making art and we should find ways to co-exist and at the same time enhance our different skills and the way we present our art,” he said.

Bakwena noted that for example, the Okavango region is known for its basketry callingfor  an incubation area in the areas to address their problems and give them  tips on how to go about their trade.

“There is a lot of art out there in Botswana and we need to approach these people, promote their art and help them penetrate the rest of the market that is out there,” said Bakwena.

He said it was important for artists to use resources that were available around them rather than to try and copy what other people from other areas and regions were doing.

“You have people that are skilled in building traditional houses, instruments etc and materials for those are abundant there. It would not be right for someone now to want to do painting because they think it sells better, but if one is talented in painting, why not help them do painting of what is abundant in their area,” he asked.

Bakwena further said it is important to teach artists the importance of networking and sharing ideas with other artists.

“Dialogue over a common goal should be held and artists need to understand that you cannot exist within a vacuum. We need to also have artists of repute from outside coming to Botswana and helping out,” he said.

Bakwena said he was concerned by the lack of success by Batswana artists when they participated in international competitions and it iwa something he wanted to address.

“We will have two workshops to groom people on different aspects that seem to be lagging behind. Quality of work, originality, technique, presentation, conceptualising of work and oral presentation are just some of the things we need to drill our artists on,” concluded Bakwena. ENDS