Artworks from the land of “Safari” stole the hearts of local art lovers, at the Botswana 2010 “Tradition” Art Exhibition held at the Annexe Art Gallery, located in Central Market, Kulala Lumpur.

The exhibition, organised wholly by Limkokwing students, featured artworks by students from students from Limkokwing University known as ‘Disclosed Wits’ comprising of young and very talented artists such as Botho David, Gape Modiegi, Batlang Senabye, Omphile Mbaiwa and Segolame Mmopi.

The exhibition, which will run from 24-28 February 2010 was officiated by Miss Botswana 2009, Sumaiya Marope Pandor, a student in Limkokwing Botswana. Also present was Miss Malaysia 2009, Thanuja Ananthan.

In her opening speech, Dato’ Fajura Juffa Mustaffa, Limkokwing Vice-president of Corporate Development and Integration said it is now very important for Malaysians to understand other cultures other than their own and the exhibition by the students was a great way to do so.

She also believes that this year, through their exhibition in Kuala Lumpur they will be able to build a mutual relationship between local art experts and this will enhance their knowledge on Malaysia’s traditional artworks.

The group of artists “Disclosed Wits”, the artists started their journey in unveiling the Botswana artwork since 2006and have showcased their works not just locally but also internationally such as the War and Peace Exhibition at the Maybank Gallery, the 8th Changchun International Sculpture in China, Oita Asian Sculpture at National Art Gallery of Japan and Notthatbalai Art Festival and the Lost Generation exhibition.

“We have been working on this exhibition since 2007 and the ultimate aim of the exhibition is to address issues relating nature, culture, poverty and social life of the people of Botswana,” said Gape Modiegi, one of the artists.

We would like to thank Limkokwing for with their help and support from the University, we were able to achieve this.”

Limkokwing University is the world’s leading creativity-based University spanning over 12 campuses in 3 continents with a global population of 30,000 students from 150 countries.

More than just art

The Botswana 2010 “Tradition” Art Exhibition has showcased more than just art according to Miss Botswana 2009, Sumaiya Marope Pandor who is on her first official visit to Malaysia.

“Today someone stood up and took that action, commitment and hard work to create awareness on serious issues that we face back home such as poverty, war, and graft, as well as to share Botswana to Malaysia and hopefully the world. I am so proud to be a part of this,” she said.

Pang Khee Teik, a Limkokwing alumnus have congratulated the students for taking the initiative and the perseverance to finally have an opportunity to showcase their art work.

“The students have been visiting the gallery for quite some time learning how other artists show and display their art works”, Said Mr. Pang the arts programme director at the gallery.

The exhibition is open to public and will run from 24-28 February 2010 at the Annexe Art Gallery, located in Central Market, Kulala Lumpur. For more information, kindly contact Miss Foong Kah Wai at kiwikahwai@gmail.com