The Roving Gallery hosts exhibition
In his latest work, visual artist, Kentse Bogatsu explores figurative art, often called semi abstract art, shining the spotlight on Gender Based Violence. This genre of the visual arts combines the human and abstract element. His work particularly touches on the subject of Gender Based Violence on the girl child and women. It comes at a time when Botswana has been recording a sky rocketing number of GBV cases in the past couple of months, and years where murders and shocking cases of sexual abuse on the girl Child. This series of work, he explains, i s ca lle d se xe d , v e xe d a nd perplexed. A very delicate but hard- hitting exhibition of talent and a strong message condemning these acts; his works are part of the Roving Gallery, a collaborative project between the Botswana Insurance Holdings Limited ( BIHL) Group and Thapong Visual Arts Centre. Bogatsu is one of the local artists whose works form pat of the Roving Gallery.
The series, explains Bogatsu, features human and abstract elements set against literal aspects which, he explains is like a written word. But the trick with this type of art is that the words are not meant to be read.
“They are meant to be felt so that when one sees some of the pieces, they get a sense of discomfort,” explains Bogatsu.
This is indeed something that he has meticulously achieved as one goes through some of his works of art. He further shares that the exhibition is about the violence and the many atrocious acts that women go through, and have gone through over the years. This is one subject that he has been following closely, from as far back as 2016.
“These incidents have had a troubling effect on me,” he notes, adding that he has been creating art pieces around this subject for a while now.
He further explains that through the platform afforded by ( BIHL), he has had an overwhelming response, and that he is pleased with how the exhibition turned out. Bogatsu also notes that the response from the audience is very encouraging.
“I made a mark in terms of expressing my message,” says Bogatsu, adding that his family is also happy with the exhibition and that they are his biggest supporters, as the subject is something that speaks to them.
According to a press release, ( BIHL) remains committed to playing a longterm role in celebrating, preserving and growing the local arts and culture space in Botswana, building on a strong heritage of investment in the space.
The exhibition forms part of the groups 45th anniversary commemorations, with the company proudly shining a spotlight on the Roving Gallery initiative which has been running for over two years. The Roving Gallery, explains the release aims to accelerate visual arts in Botswana, with artwork displayed across BIHL Group premises as well as select occasional exhibitions for greater exposure and marketing of the incredible work. Since inception, the BIHL Roving Gallery has featured artists including: Verayn Edwards, Ditshupo Mogapi, Velalias Ndaba, Mokwaledi Gontshwanetse, Kentse Bogatsu, Reggie Bakwena, Thabo Keorapetse, Felicity Male, Tuelo Pule, Thabiso Kefalotse and Wilson Ngoni.
“The intention is to highlight local talent, and professionals in the industry so that visual art can develop further into full time professional employment that provides a substantive and meaningful income for Batswana,” explains the BIHL Group CEO, Catherine Lesetedi in the release.
She further said that her organisation was incredibly excited to talk about The
Roving Gallery, accelerating visual arts in Botswana, a sector that has indeed been hard hit by the effects of this pandemic.
“As part of a 45 year- strong commitment to nurturing arts and skills among Batswana, we take pride in supporting the Arts and Creative Industry in the long- term to showcase, nurture and grow the rich depth of talent we have right here in Botswana. As the BIHL Group, we understand that supporting and driving the creative sector is in fact paramount to the National socio- economic development,” she explains.
The BIHL and Thapong collaboration stems from the Group’s first engagement with Thapong Visual Arts Centre in 2003 through Nationwide arts workshops. Since then, the fervent desire to make greater headway in discovering and developing local talent has only grown stronger, and the relationship greater. Speaking about this exciting development, Reginald Bakwena the Coordinator of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, and an artist in his own right, explained that opportunities such as these are some of the things corporates need to tap into, in order to build up talent for people to create their own employment.
“The Roving Gallery has been a great opportunity for us because, currently in Botswana, we have a shortage of galleries. The BIHL Group has helped answer a call to increase the number of galleries in the country. They gave us an opportunity for artists to have their work seen,” said Bakwena.
He further highlighted that with the shortage of galleries in the country, the Roving Gallery is the perfect platform and answers a call to increase the number of galleries in the country.
“As Thapong, we can not manage to hold the works of the number of artists in Botswana who are showcasing,” he explains, adding that the platform means that more people get to appreciate the works of local artists.