Exhibition ignite artistry skills Bakwena
01 Sep 2024
The Trace-back legends art exhibition is set to ignite and nurture visual artistry skills among emerging artists.
Speaking at the exhibition hosted at Thapong Visual Arts Centre recently, the centre coordinator, Reginald Bakwena said during the one-month long exhibition, emerging artists and those that had long been in the industry but faced challenges, would be mentored as well as had the opportunity to study and learn techniques from the legends with the goal of sparking and fostering creativity skills in the digital age.
“The standard of arts amongst some of the emerging artists is declining. I am hopeful that our month-long exhibition will make a difference. Artists will have the chance to study these masterpieces up close and personal, gaining valuable insight into the techniques and the creative processes employed by these art legends,” he said.
The exhibition featured seasoned painter in Vellas Ndaba, who had mentored several contemporary artists and also had the opportunity to adjudicate this year’s National Arts competitions.
Bakwena said more legends would be traced back so as to have diverse mentorship tactics.
Meanwhile, an array of 30 different portraits by Ndaba did not only breathe life to the walls of Thapong Visual Arts Centre but also demonstrated that even at the age of 54, the tested painter was still strong with the creative flair.
In an interview, Ndaba said he had long been into painting since his childhood days and had been to various exhibitions locally and internationally, which motivated him to keep improving his art work.
“I am a self-taught painter. This is God-given talent. I embrace all the competitions and exhibitions I attended because they have given me the zeal to research and learn more about painting. This exhibition is more of my contribution in efforts to encourage and nurture those who wish to engage in painting.” he said.
He added that all his paintings portrayed regular life activities, with those he cherished depicting women’s strength in their daily responsibilities, through which he intended to respect women as caregivers.
Ndaba said art paintings required determination, which some of the budding artists did not adhere to but expected quick profit making, only to get discouraged when they failed. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Chendzimu Manyepedza
Location : Gaborone
Event : Exhibition
Date : 01 Sep 2024