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The Voice (Francistown)

Botswana: United in Praise

Dubani-wa-Dubani

9 October 2007

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Francistown — Artists attending the Gabs Arts 2007 Workshop at Thapong Visual Arts Centre are pleased with the event and have praised it as a noble effort towards the development of visual arts.

The artists, whose work will be showcased in an exhibition at Thapong tomorrow, said this when speaking to The Voice on Wednesday afternoon.

"This is an exciting and stimulating experience. There is a lot to learn from other artists through exchange of ideas and interaction. You actually see your work develop and take shape. Sharing ideas makes one look to improve their work and gives one a deeper experience. We are a group of old and young artists, some trained, some self taught and we learn from each other," said Thapong founder, Veryan Edwards.

"There is a lot of talent, workshops such as this one can only expose and develop artists. It's an interesting and fresh challenge. We need more of these workshops whereby artists can interact with their counterparts from other countries and continents and learn from each other," continued Edwards, whose work has been exhibited in Namibia, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, Finland, Germany, England and the United States of America.

The workshop, which is sponsored by the French Embassy and France Culture, has attracted artists from Senegal, Cameroon, Kenya, South Africa, Mozambique, the United Kingdom, Lesotho and Zambia.

For upcoming Francistown based artist, Cyril Monkgogi Ndolo, the workshop is an eye opener and confidence booster.

"I am a self taught artist and this workshop has given me the chance to interact and exchange ideas with more experienced and trained artists. The fact that there are artists from other countries has helped me expand my artistic scope," said the artist who trades as Mokwalo Arts and Signs.

For Kenyan Wakanyote Njuguna, a writer-cum-poet and dramatist, the workshop has marked a new beginning.

"This is a good thing for all the artists here whether young, old, trained or self taught. It's a chance to exchange ideas especially between the younger artists and those of us who are of the grandfather age. It is like a rebirth. I feel refreshed," said dreadlocked Njuguna, adding, "I understand your vice president is interested in the arts and I think with the support of influential people like him Botswana can soon be exporting art."

Another artist speaking highly of the workshop is Molepolole sculptor, Doreen Perekisi, who expressed disappointment that not many women seem interested in such workshops.

"I know that there are able women out there and I am wondering why they are not showing their faces in these workshops. All I can do is encourage them to attend and develop their skills. They can take it from me."

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