The charcoal on paper artwork titled Serene Lady by legendary artist Phillip Segola is among the 31 art pieces displayed at the Thapong Legends Exhibition which opened for public viewing on Wednesday. The artwork by Segola not only gets you consumed by its details but also draws the viewer in to immerse themselves in other beautiful artworks in the gallery, which form part of the show. The exhibition, which will run for a full month is meant to celebrate the work of some of the country’s legendary artists who have contributed immensely to the development of visual arts in Botswana. These include Segola, Velias Ndaba, Mokwaledi Gontshwanetse, Veryan Edwards, Rebecca DE Fiquiredo and Kentse Bogatsu. From Segola’s charcoal pieces to Mokwaledi’s depiction of traditional life in Botswana, the show is a must for art lovers who missed the opening on Wednesday.
Segola is a name synonymous with the local arts industry and his artworks are worth every penny for viewing. He uses a variety of mediums as his pieces vary between paint, photography, graphic design, pencil drawing and are often some combination of these elements. Ndaba’s natural beauty and love for colour, nature and day-to-day life, which are also his primary inspiration, come out clearly in this exhibition. With the artworks on display, Nadaba indicates that he is still deeply rooted in his original style and approach to different subjects.