It is a wonder to watch the display of the
Botswana Visual Arts in their traditional form with the minimum resources that are available. The Makola Palm leaves are woven skillfully by the village women of Etsha and Gumare to craft beautiful baskets. The three types of baskets are crafted by these rural ladies with the sole aid of their hands. Rarely are machines used for the purpose. But these hand made baskets have a delicate finishing touch, which can compete with any machine made baskets. Once the baskets are woven, designs are incorporated in them. The vibrant colors and updated designs make these works of
Botswana visual arts competent in the international market.
Various organizations like Thapong Visual Art Center encourage the artists in Botswana to develop their skillful art. These organizations even help the artists to display their pieces of art in front of the Botswana's urban people and foreigners. The painters, sculptors are equally encouraged to concentrate on their artistic skills.
The earliest traces of painting in Botswana can be found in the works of the Khoisan communities within the Kalahari Desert. These paintings were worked out nearly twenty thousand years ago. The tradition of painting continues till date in Botswana. The painters and sculptors in Botswana often display these pieces of art in the galleries in and outside Botswana and many of them are appreciated as well.
Few of the painters and sculptors, who have contributed in the visual arts in Botswana include:
- Isaac Chibua
- Reginald Bakwena
- Isaac Chibua
