Thapong, HB Botswana partner in art exhibition
In an effort to empower local visual artists, especially its members, Thapong Visual Arts Centre has engaged in a three-year partnership with HB Botswana to mount a roving exhibition at the latter’s premises in Gaborone.
The show, which features different visual artists across all forms of expression, has been running since the opening of the premises in Gaborone last year. Director of Thapong Visual Arts Centre, Reginald Bakwena explained Tuesday that the event is done on a rotational basis, with artworks being changed every three months.
He also said HB Botswana visitors could immerse themselves in a variety of expressive visuals that showcase the beauty of Botswana in general.
The show features experienced and upcoming artists. Among artists’ pieces currently on display are Mmoloki Matlale, Chris Mokgeledi, Goxa, Kedimetse Tshidiso Thatayaone Ramatlapeng and Batshwanetse Kebalepile, presenting the multifaceted appeal of the country. Furthermore, the exhibition not only showcases to the HB Botswana employees and clients the unique attractions of Botswana as a tourism destination but also demonstrates that the country is full of creativity and life.
“We have a programme called ‘taking art to the people’ which is an outreach programme geared towards marketing the arts and educating people about art. We have realised that we don’t have enough space to exhibit the artworks, so we decided to talk to different corporate companies, for selling and other purposes to exhibit artworks in their places,” Bakwena said.Recognised as a jewel in the mining and diamond manufacturing space, HB Botswana, Bakwena said the company is strategically positioned to market the arts and propel their programme of taking the arts to the people.
“This is meant to encourage their staff to buy the artworks. We see this as a strategic area because they deal with diamonds, so they attract international executives who are potential buyers. They can take with them these artworks to their countries and also help market the artists. We are targeting people who visit this place for business purposes but cannot go to Thapong,” he explained. He explained that each month, about 10 artworks from different artists are displayed for a period of three months. “The artworks are here on rental basis. They have been here since HB launched last year. This contributes to the upliftment of the artists because there is a rental fee paid to the artist. The artworks decorate the offices and the artist gains something in return. Three artworks have been bought thus far,” he added. Furthermore, he stated that the event also bridges the gap as there is shortage of galleries for artists to showcase their artworks.
For HB Botswana, partnering with Thapong Visual Arts Centre on this programme is part of their way to contributing to the economy other than just through diamond manufacturing. The company’s Communications director, Mogolo Bonjo Mathumo said their underlying belief is that the butterfly effect is the foundation of what they do. He said the concept simply says that one insular action can cause ripple effects in other areas of the economy.
“This is to say, we might be playing in the mineral/diamond manufacturing industry, but for us it is bigger than that. It is just a tip of the iceberg. The intention is to show our commitment to Botswana and Batswana and what other way than to collaborate with artists, with centres that are focused on the arts,” Mathumo said. “So for us the benefit really is that we are laser focused and resolute on our aim, which is Botswana and see what differences we can make and add to other aspects of the economy beyond mining,” he added. On other matters, he states that HB Botswana has demonstrated in the past through collaborations with the Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) and Suspicious Antwerp, a brand from Belgium, which shows that the company wants to play a role in different parts of the economy as well.