BIHL exhibition; an exquisite scenery

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Sunday August 28, 2022 07:01

Mogapi and Keepetsoe during the tour of the BIHL gallery. Keepetsoe explained that the exhibition is part of BIHL’s aim to promote and empower the local arts

The event is part of BIHL Group’s aim to remain committed to playing a long-term role in celebrating, preserving and growing the local arts and the culture space in Botswana, building on a strong heritage of investment. As one enters the BIHL floor three offices, there is immediate magnetism.

Hanging on the walls are magnificent artworks that immediately capture one’s thoughts. Mogapi specialises in contemporary art while Phokoje is a photographer. The first art piece that one comes across mounted by the reception walls is Mogapi’s art piece titled Mother.

The artwork is a true definition of splendour. It forces one to immerse their thoughts on the walls altogether. The picture is a realistic portrait painting of a woman wearing a doek.

The art piece brightens the space. As if it was all planned, Phokoje’s photographs compliment Mogapi’s paintings. Coming from Maun, which has been the starting point of expeditions into Botswana's wildlife areas, her pictures are influenced by her environment. The most interesting picture is one titled Morning Dusk Bath.

Explaining his work to Arts & Culture during a tour of the BIHL gallery, Mogapi said he creates art that is provocative to the mind, heart or spirit to experience something new or rekindle something forgotten. “I believe art should be beautiful so as to draw the heart and spirit into it, so the viewer leaves with something more. I strive for my art to be a unique contribution to our collective understanding of humankind,” he said. Mogapi, who was introduced to arts during her junior school days, has been a full-time artist since 2008.

He is now a member of the Thapong Visual Arts Centre. He said exhibitions such as this one are very good and important for local artists as they expose their arts in a highly good standard level and connects them with buyers, art collectors and sponsor the artist to develop skills. BIHL Public Relations, Communications & Marketing Manager, Tebogo Keepetsoe said they have found it important to hold this exhibition in support of the arts. She stated that the roving gallery exhibition at BIHL has been in existence for the past three years. “The idea is that pre COVID-19, we had our executives coming in for meetings, some from outside the country. So, we decided to display local artists’ works and provide a platform where we can profile them for these people to see.

The exhibition takes place every three months, then we bring new pieces from different artists,” explained Keepetsoe. She said the exhibition covers a vast array of artists mainly from the Thapong Visual Arts Centre. “We put up what we believe is the best. This is meant to promote our artists, expose them and develop talent. They get a little income as the artworks are on rental. They are also up for sale as we have already sold two pieces lately. Keepetsoe explained that this is their contribution to create a bit of awareness about the local arts. BIHL has for a long time supported the local arts. They have sponsored the arts through the Arts Festival formerly the Presidents Day Competitions.