25 Sep 2013

The Department of Arts and Culture on September 24 kick started the country’s 47th Independence celebration with the recognition of the country’s visual artists through a national art exhibition at the National Museum.

Art works by veteran visual artists in the likes of self-taught artist , Rantefe Mothebe (73) from Mochudi, curator and graphic designer, Phillip Segola, and the winner of the 1996 Art of Europe, Baner Mokgato were on display.

Exhibitions by Mary Gollifer, Mokwaledi Gontshwanetse, Bolaane Mazebedi, Olemogeng Maaramele also depicted Botswana in general, from celebrating the three Dikgosi’s in Kgosi Bathoeng, Sechele and Khama to appreciating the role of women in our society. Other artists such as Otsetswe Bogosibokae, Mokganedi Diseko, Veryan Edwards, Wendy Borelo, Keseitsheletse Ditshotlo also formed part of the exhibition as they told of Botswana’s journey from 1966.

Folklore musician, Ntirelang Berman who formed part of the celebrations, wowed the audience with his skill in telling folktales through music. Officiating at the celebrations, Diamond Trading Company Botswana (DTCB) managing director, Tabake Kobedi implored art consumers to be prepared to support artists and invest more into artworks.

More importantly, he encouraged people to be prepared to pay top pula to artists for their works. He encouraged stakeholders, especially the private sector that had financial means, to take more interest in financing and developing the arts. Mr Kobedi said exhibitions of this nature were important as they empowered artists.

The exhibition, Mr Kobedi said, also gave artists a chance to publicise and market their products while at the same time enabling researchers a chance to embark on research based on credible information. Mr Kobedi said the exhibitions further gave art lovers, the business community, an opportunity to get information about the arts in Botswana.

He implored artists to sharpen their skills and be committed to producing abundant and quality products that can entice highly sophisticated even beyond our borders. The production of local artworks, he said was important in economic transformation as it allowed development of the creative industries and reduced the importation of art from other countries.

“These imported products in some cases may not even be to the same standards as compared to works of our local artists”, he said. Mr Kobedi said DTCB continued to recognise the important role that the arts played in the development and diversification of Botswana’s economy.

The company continued working with artists through platforms such as the Botswana Shining Light Diamond Jewelry Design Competitions as well as investing in the renovation of the Thapong Art Gallery.

Kobedi however said a lot of effort still needed to be put into creating quality works of art and marketing the art works not just locally but also internationally. In order for the marketing efforts to be successful,, artists must see themselves not just as designers and creators but also as serious business people, he said. ENDS