19 May 2025
Botswana’s burgeoning contemporary art scene takes centre stage at RMB Latitudes Art Fair in Johannesburg this weekend, offering a dedicated showcase within the fair’s International Galleries Platform.
The event, scheduled for Friday, 23 May until Sunday, 26 May 2025 at Shepstone Gardens, showcases Joburg’s role as a continental arts hub that promotes cross-border dialogue and exposure.
Curated by Boitumelo Makousu, the focus provides an intentional exploration of Botswana’s unique visual culture, interrogating themes of identity, geography, and transformation, particularly in relation to South Africa.
“We’re interrogating the concept of borders [cultural and ideological] and how they’ve influenced artistic expression between South Africa and Botswana,” says Makousu.
The presentation delves into the intersections of memory, place, and identity, offering audiences a perspective both rooted and forward-looking. The showcase features a rich array of collectives and creative organisations redefining Botswana’s cultural output:
- TBP Artist Collective: Known for multidimensional storytelling inspired by traditional cosmology.
- Banana Club: An artist-led initiative promoting dialogue through contemporary portraiture.
- ReCurate: Investigates themes of transition and uncertainty in modern African societies.
- Ora Loapi: A digital platform uncovering Botswana’s visual history.
- The Space Botswana & Art Residency Centre (ARC): Support emerging voices and experimental work.
This collective presentation offers insight into the shifts within Botswana’s creative community, contributing to more resilient creative economies across the continent.
The Botswana Focus is a key part of RMB Latitudes 2025’s programme, featuring:
- Immersive exhibitions from diverse artists
- Engagement with themes of heritage, futurism, and collective memory.
- Opportunities to connect with artists and curators shaping Southern Africa’s creative future.
“RMB is committed to unlocking talent and enabling Africa’s creative economy in a sustainable and meaningful way.
By shining a light on Botswana’s creative voices, we hope to contribute to helping talent gain broader visibility and create lasting connections across the continent,” says Linda Kachingwe-Sisya, RMB’s Executive Head of Marketing and Communications for Africa and International.
Source: https://rb.gy/mpfn6v
