Last Valarezo Exhibition At Limkokwing

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Monday May 26, 2014 13:48

Speaking at the opening, Valarezo could not hold her excitement as she mentioned how this has always been her dream.  She said she was happy that her work would be shown to the public, as she believes in sharing her talent.  Valarezo, emotional that she is leaving the country, explained how this will be her last show in Botswana.

“This is my last show here; although I am sad that I am leaving I am happy that my legacy will still live on here.  I have worked with so many organisations here and it was a very exciting journey of my life,” she said.

Valarezo said although this might be her last show here, it does not mean that this is the last time people will hear about her.

“I am going to continue shining with my work of tapestry and clay weaving.  This country has been kind to my family and more importantly it has taught me a very dear talent I intend to treasure all my life,” she said.

Valarezo was born in Quito, Ecuador and has been living in Gaborone since 2009.

She has been teaching weaving since 1999 in the countries where she and her husband lived.  Since her arrival in Botswana she started developing a new style of weaving, using recycled and natural materials to replace the wool and cotton as used in the previous works.

Speaking to Showtime, Valarezo revealed that her love for weaving comes from the admiration for the traditional and modern techniques from Ecuadorian weavers.

She said after having learned weaving from a Native American Navajo teacher, she continued developing her own styles, but always following the traditional technique.

In Botswana she has given workshops in various cities to groups of women, teachers, volunteers, refugees, private and public school children.  She has organised exhibition of the works of the participants to the workshops and participated in-group exhibits in Thapong Arts Centre. Valarezo has done numerous workshops with the BSA including with the disabled children in Otse at Camp hill. 

She has also worked with the Healing Art Gallery hosting people from the rural areas of Botswana, Tlokweng Training Centre for the South East district junior teachers, Thornhill for primary students, and Westwood School where she held an exhibition in January 2013 showcasing the what she had previously done in Botswana.