Khama Directive Works Wonders for Top Artist
Kefilwe Mokopane, one of Botswana’s visual artists says that President Ian Khama’s directive that government ministries should buy artworks from locals has turned the tide for many artists including himself.
According to Mokopane, ever since the directive was issued, some government ministries and parastatals have commissioned him to do a number of projects for them – and his star has been rising.
The award-winning artist is well-known for his brightly coloured abstract pieces with musical themes. Last year, his works scooped third place at the annual Thapong Artist of the Year Awards.
“Nowadays, I am able to make an average of P 20, 000 a month through selling my pieces which is really good for my career,” he told Showbiz in an interview.
The painter’s immediate past clients include Botswana National Archives, the Department of Civil Aviation, Botswana Training Authority (BOTA), Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) and Sir Seretse Khama International Airport.
At the moment he is hoping to be commissioned by yet another government department to make a number of pieces.
Mokopane says that doing work for government ministries and corporate companies can be rewarding since more often than not, they want a series of paintings, which on average sell for P 50, 000 depending on the size and number of the artworks.Although he is happy about Khama’s directive, he is worried that the purchasing process is not clearly defined, which can derail a well-meaning initiative.
Echoing the words of Thapong Arts Centre coordinator, Reginald Bakwena, Mokopane said that a committee, charged with buying artworks for government should be set up, lest charlatans abuse the gesture.
He insists that it should comprise people who understand ‘the language of the arts’ in case quality is compromised.
“If some fly-by-night artists somehow manage to sell artworks to government ministries and these are seen displayed in our offices by international critics, this will reflect badly on the arts in Botswana,” he says.
The artist also fears that if the buying process is not closely monitored, some works by certain artists may be favoured over other equally deserving works.
The painter, who specialises in abstract cubism, further says that apart from ministries and corporate companies, his pieces are normally bought by overseas collectors. “Just recently, a man flew in from Turkey and saw my work displayed and he bought it instantly for P15, 000,” he says.
According to the artist, these international collectors help further his career because he makes sure that they always get his profile and that gives him the exposure he needs.
He adds that he has noticed that many Batswana are beginning to appreciate art and that he hopes to boost his local clientele.
“A lot of our people are beginning to appreciate art, that is why they turn up in large numbers whenever Thapong hosts an exhibition,” he says.Mokopane says apart from being able to market his works internationally by attaching his profiles to every piece that is bought, he also emails pictures of his artworks and his profile to galleries within and outside Africa.
The enterprising painter has got a registered company that deals in fine arts, graphic designs, ceramics, interior decors, digital imaging and supplying of art materials.
Through his company, he has been able to visit art galleries in South Africa and he hopes to hold a solo exhibition there some time this year.
Mokopane says that if everything goes according to plan, he hopes to make sure that this year, he produces as many pieces as possible because he needs to make more sales.
The artist says that he is worried when young people give up quickly when they are struggling to sell their artworks.
“Young and upcoming artists should know that as long as someone is alive, nothing is impossible. If you are determined, somewhere along the way, you will get your reward,” he says.
Mokopane further warned aspiring artists against mass production of poor quality artworks just because they want to make money adding that sometimes it takes him a month to complete a piece.
He also believes that art best sells in Gaborone and artists who want to make a mark but are based outside the city, should try by all means to network with organisations in Gaborone such as Thapong.