NWU Gallery
18 November
Batswana History and Heritage Preservation – United Communities
“United Communities” is our 2020 theme, which displays the long-prevailing unity among an African grouping of the Batswana speaking community of the Royal Bafokeng nation. The exhibition narrates the historical events that positioned the nation and its people to their current status. Displaying integrity and good governance by our leaders and the involvement of the community. The show displays images of Dikgosi tsa Bafokeng from the times of the legendary Kgosi Mokgatle to the current Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi. The community participation and involvement through various traditional structures is represented through paintings and sculptures like; Kwena (Bafokeng totem), Bafokeng men who went to Kimberley, Tiro ya kutle (clan duties).
Tshepang Maelangwe
Paintings and Sculptures representing community participation and involvement through various traditional structures are created by Rre Tshepang Maelangwe. In his artworks, Rre Tshepang used the traditional mediums of painting and wood carving. The traditional approach emphasizes the Bafokeng traditional structures, customs, morals and values that encourage unity amongst the community members. The images are well painted using two different colour pallets; the ethnic pallet and the natural pallet. He used the ethnic pallet to indicate ancient mythology, traditional customs and heritage while the natural pallet is used to display historical practices which are still embedded within this cultural community and the current influence. While he carefully selected and used wood to resemble the ancient traditions of the Batswana mythology, spirituality and proverbs.
Tshepang Maelangwe – Bafokeng men leaving Kimberley (mines) to Phokeng-2018
Tshepang Maelangwe – Tsie e Fofaka Moswang – 2020
Princess Motswana Molotlegi
The choice to use digital art breaches traditional values with a contemporary structure of life today. Princess Motswana’s paintings are well-created artworks with layers on top of layers of vibrant colours resembling the wisdom and integrity of our previous and current Dikgosi. The use of the computer emphasizes the prolonged ability of adaptation, competitiveness, innovation, visionary and ownership embedded in our Dikgosi. This pattern of leadership, relayed from generation after generation is well captured with ethnic and cool colours. The bold vivid colours and background resembling unique approaches by individual Kgosi and unique contributions. Our Dikgosi, from as early as Kgosi Mokgatle to the current Kgosi Leruo Tshekedi Molotlegi, are extraordinary men who steered the community to archiving greater things.
Motswana Molotlegi – Kgosi Molelwane Molotlegi
Motswana Molotlegi – Kgosi Mokgatlhe