The programme will showcase Gabon’s innovative approach to blending art and science inspired by his research during his 2023-24 Fulbright residency in Botswana. Gabon, a Jamaican-born American artist and 2024 US Fulbright Research and Arts Scholar is currently hosted by the Okavango Research Institute (ORI) at the University of Botswana in Maun. During his 10-month residency, Gabon has conducted extensive field research across Botswana, focusing particularly on the Makgadikgadi salt pans and the Okavango Delta ecosystem.
His work explores salt as both a metaphor and a mineral, aiming to bridge scientific concepts with artistic expression to make complex information more accessible to the public. Gabon’s practice seeks to balance and intersect artistic representation with social activism and social commentary, particularly regarding issues pertinent to Africa and people within the Diaspora. The Salt series is from the body of work titled, A-salted intermission and is a result of four years of researching and creating work about community, social activism and awareness.
The event, titled, Salted Sermon, will feature an art exhibition and performance that reflect current social and ecological issues in the context of climate change. Gabon will collaborate with renowned Botswana poet and educator Moroka Moreri to craft a programme that resonates with contemporary themes within Botswana’s history and culture. In addition, the programme will include contributions from the Poetavango Collective, BOSSDA, the National Museum & Monuments, and works by other local artists, highlighting the rich creative landscape of Botswana. Moreri is a thoroughbred poet who uses rich and colourful language that is always bound to impress any lover of the Setswana culture. The poet is famous for his distinct style that uses phathisi accompaniment and segoloduane signature, which sets him apart from his peers.
Thapong Visual Arts Centre Coordinator, Reginald Bakwena, says hosting such an event signifies their commitment to growing the arts in the country. “This is also an opportune time for local artists to come together and share the space with an international artist for inspiration. It is a great event for the art,” said Bakwena.
