28 Mar 2022

Visual artists have been encouraged to use exhibitions as a way of recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts. Such exhibitions will help Thapong Visual Arts members to potentially generate profits that would help them kick-start the year.

The Coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Reginald Bakwena said on Thursday during the official opening of the Thapong members’ exhibition.

The exhibition the first of its kind drew more than 30 participants, with each participant expected to submit two of their artifacts to be displayed in the Centre’s gallery for public viewing and purchase.

He stated that because most members were self-employed and had no sponsors, it was difficult for them to carry out their daily operations, especially since the industry recently re-opened after a nearly two-year pause due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

Bakwena stated that the exhibition would also provide a market penetration opportunity both locally and globally, given that only a few sales had been made in the past two years due to the pandemic.

“Through this exhibition, we intend to bring together artists and motivate them to get back into business and find ways to operate alongside the pandemic; it will also be an opportunity for them to share skills in efforts to build and enhance their profession,” he said.

Apart from exposure and monetary gains, the exhibition aimed to shape and prepare artists for upcoming major events such as the Thapong annual awards and others on a global scale. “We have invited some of the seasoned artists to share any relevant expertise advice.

“It has come to our attention that some of the upcoming artists are still lagging behind in efforts to produce good quality products,” he said.

 He also encouraged artists to embrace the use of New Information Technology, as it was a simple way to compare themselves with other artists around the world. ENDS