22 Nov 2020

Approximately P116 500 was raised to benefit four young artists and the Francistown Centre for Deaf Education as various portraits of President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi were sold through auction.

The event held at the Thapong Visual Arts Centre in Gaborone on November 19, titled Portrait of the President: The Good Work Exhibition and Auction Sale,’ attended by President Masisi and various dignitaries, concluded with the successful sale of 12 of the 18 art pieces on offer.

Thapong Chair, Mesh Moeti told the gathering that artists used different media to develop portraits of the president and a decision had been taken to invite prominent captains of industry to purchase the products through an auction sale.

He said the painting and drawing of portraits was an old form of art that had endured the times, having survived the advent of photography as portraits continued to be classified by art connoisseurs as containing a sense of mystery and timelessness.

The four artists involved were 35-year-old Goemenato Modisane a full time artist who resides in Kopong, Tuelo Pule, 28, from Lentsweletau, Omphile Sefako a 24-year-old Ramotswa native who specialises in three dimensional block artwork as well as Thabiso Kefalotse, who also hails from Ramotswa.

Prominent Gaborone businessman, Satar Dada, spent the largest sum buying three artworks at P30 000. Other leading figures among them Anthony Siwawa as well as representatives of corporate entities such as ABSA Bank of Botswana as well as the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sport and Culture Development also purchased individual portraits.

Speaking on behalf of the artists, Pule said like other professionals in different vocations, artists had been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and there had been less exhibitions and fewer sales of their creations.

He said however they had persevered as they needed to continue earning a living.

Pule thanked those who assisted in organising the event as well as those who invested in their portraits. ENDS