By Mmegi
WITH local visual artists bemoaning a saturated market and lack of money, prominent Zimbabwean visual artist, Batsirai Muskwe, has urged Batswana artists to explore the international market.
Speaking during an event dubbed the ‘Art Talk’ held at Thapong Visual Arts Centre recently, the multifaceted visual artist said artists should be adventurous and explore other avenues to sustain their craft.
He warned against being short-sighted as the globe has a bigger market which could be an antidote for the saturated market.
“I am encouraging you today to be versatile as much you can and the solution to Botswana’s atmosphere is that they need to go out there. They need to be seen and be known because we do not know a lot of artists from Botswana,” Muskwe explained.
Muskwe elaborated that the first step for them is to be brave and cross the borders, which can turn out to be their niche. He stated his journey is exemplary of what exactly he is advocating for.
Muskwe is in Botswana as a resident at Thapong where he is on an exchange programme for two months. He says this is part of his growth as an artist.
“When I say they should be international, I mean they should not only try access the international market remotely, but they should move out of the country and sell Botswana to the world,” he said.
Muskwe further stated that as the world moves towards digitalisation, artists should use social media to their greatest advantage as it can be a tool to penetrate the international market.
“The social media and the internet have everything there and you need to go out for those art residences, workshops and art exhibitions. This is my encouragement to you,” Muskwe explained.
