I am a bird
Wilson Ngoni plans to fly beyond borders with his artwork
Art exhibitions are a way of lifestyle to some people as art is said to be a way of expressing one’s thoughts about something, and one local artist, Wilson Ngoni never disappoints at his art craft.
The renowned artist, Ngoni is currently showcasing his amazing work at an exhibition entitled ‘ I Am A Bird’, at Nhabe Museum in Maun. The museum has been serving as a place of haven for the art lovers since this mid- month on the14th, when the exhibition started and it is to end this weekend on Sunday. Known for his extraordinary work with realism and surrealism, Ngoni has already won people of Maun and surrounding areas’ hearts because of his artwork. Many agree that, the exhibition is one of a kind and proving to be one of the best Botswana has ever experienced.
The theme of the event ‘ I Am A Bird’, resonates well to Ngoni as his sentiment is that, ‘ birds are free, they are beautiful and their song is inspiring’. In that regard, he finds the exhibition very interesting. He says this has given him a chance to paint what he felt would fit the theme. Thus, he let his creativity fly freely, and created pieces that have exceptional colours and light; beautifully made to capture the heart of everyone who has the chance to view them, he says. He is of the view that humanity is facing a lot of challenges at the moment, and needs a bird song, and so like a bird, he aims to inspire with his beautiful art pieces. Exhibition Manager, Thabo Kgatlwane of Cellar Door Arts is impressed by the work that they have put together for Nhabe museum through the hands of the legendary Ngoni. “The first week of the exhibition was a success, we had guests including; the French ambassador and a few high profile Maun residents stopped by for a tour, a chat, and to purchase a painting or one of Wilson Ngoni’s books titles ‘ Living with the brush’,” he says. He tells BG Style that they have bigger plans together with Ngoni, to sell local talent internationally. “Wilson and I plan to focus outside of the country after this exhibition, with hopes of showcasing in Lusaka, Windhoek and Johannesburg by the end of next year. Wilson, like most creatives is burdened with understanding that art is meant to be taken to the people, and this is what we are planning on doing, starting with Maun, thecreative hub
of Botswana,” Kgatlwane shares. He laments that the most challenge faced by most artists is the fact that no matter how good they are; it is still slow in Botswana for their pieces to be easily purchased. “Even for someone amongst the best, not only in Botswana but arguably the world, like Ngoni, Botswana seems to be the wrong audience when it comes to having a selling exhibition. They would come by to view, but purchasing is something we only get from tourists and foreigners living in Botswana, which is why we’re planning to visit other countries for a change of audience,” says Kgatlwane.