Botaki ba Afrika 

Presents: 

Botho ke Motho – Humanity is a Human

 

The group exhibition Botho ke Motho curated by Tsepiso Molaba brings together three young artists looking to connect through shared humanity. Tsepiso’s inspiration for this exhibition was the way in which people change through their art. Like a live journal, she wanted to understand the ideas behind the art and the artists. Therefore, the ideas beneath the aesthetic became more important as a means of connection with other artists. With each brushstroke the artists of this group exhibition aim to bring a sense of oneness between the artist and the viewer. 

Often misconstrued by what high art is expected to be, the connection of human to human gets lost beneath technique and execution. What Botho ke Motho aims to do is connect strangers, friends, and family through the qualities of being human. The exhibition shows how everyone on earth deserves the right to feel human through qualities such as the ability to love, having compassion for yourself and others, and the right to creativity. The exhibition moves away from emotionlessness, and the disconnect of individuals from the greater community of humanity. Botho ke Motho means humanity is a human which shows that the individual stands for the whole and all that comes with the experience of humanity. 

The artists have all given statements about what the exhibition means to them as well as their style. The three artists in question, Innocent Mtsweni, Ntuthuko Khanyile, and Shatadi Phalane feel close to the theme and offer an insight into their understanding of humanity is a human.

 

Innocent’s statement:

The theme of Botho ke Motho makes him feel grateful as he believes the only key to opening locked doors for visual artists is through humanity. Ensuring inclusion of all people is to him, how a successful career comes to life. 

With expressionistic tones in his composition and application the emotions are always tangible in the almost abstract nature of his work. 

His work aims to show the life of a witness or a victim dependent on the scenes, emotions, and figures beneath the beauty. He wants to give people therapy through his art and tell his viewer a story with visuals instead of his voice. The group exhibition was a chance for Innocent to regain his drive and continue his journey as an artist.

Ntuthuko’s statement:

Ntuthuko’s interpretation of Botho ke Motho is one of a dance between the beauty of love and the poison of hatred. The beauty that comes from compassion and loving one’s fellow human beings is the cornerstone of humanity while the opposing side of being human can be painful. 

He has a realistic style dominated by portrait work, however, Ntuthuko’s interests lie in a cartoony stylised aesthetic.  

Within the theme of ‘humanity is a human’ Ntuthuko believes that an artist should use their art as a way to reflect the society they live in. Inspired by the future, he hopes to be a mirror to our humanity through his work.

Shatadi’s statement:

Shatadi’s understanding of Botho ke Motho is that humanity begins with oneself. The theme represents everything to do with humanity such as social behaviour and the way a society shapes us as human beings. She resonates with the theme and believes goodness starts from within, to be good to others you need to be good to yourself.

Her artworks reflect this through her use of colour. Her style relies on colour to connect herself to her work on a personal level. The mental element of her style makes the use of colour purposeful and a reflection of the need to connect through beauty and emotion.

The patience she has for her work reflects in every detail of her art. Shatadi hopes that viewer’s see her work as daring and creative. She draws and paints without limits and she doesn’t let the opinions of others get in her way. 

In relation to the theme of the group exhibition, Shatadi wants people to connect with her work as much as she does. She wants her viewers to have to freedom to interpret her art however they would like to as she never wants to limit their thoughts. 

 

The artists will be exhibition their work at Botaki ba Afrika on the 18th of  March 2023. Interested visitors can call or email for more details. 

By Kaitlyn Lourens

 

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Mbusiwabo Maseko, the visual artist also known as uMbusi, has continued to draw creative energy from the creative source and fountain of inspiration he refers to as Artified Being, the source of who he is as an artist. That has graced us with a series of creative works that have culminated in an awestriking collection of paintings and collages titled ‘Hatch’. This collection has been in the making since 2020, and Botaki Ba Afrika bears the honour of showcasing the artworks. Hatch is an ode to theGods of art that tirelessly continue to power uMbusi’s source of creativity and are the ones who blessed uMbusi with his calling from the very beginning, the calling that he aims to share through his new collection. Not only has he given us physical artworks to stimulate us, but he has also included a stanza for each poem that elaborates on the piece’s ultimate purpose. uMbusi displays a never-
before-seen take on art, expression, and storytelling through his collection, Hatch.

Most notable is his expansive exploration of art mediums, including oil pastel, acrylic paint, marking pen, and the
wholly unexpected and innovative teabag used in his pieces titled ‘Sanity Your Insanity’ and ‘Phila Iqiniso’. The messages portrayed by each artwork in the collection remind us of the everyday experiences we all share, serving as a constant reminder that we are not alone. 'Phila Iqiniso' warns against the deterioration of the self which comes with living a life of deceit and lies, whilst 'No Navigation' reminds us that the rat race is an unnecessary form of suffering and that comparing
ourselves to others, who may be lost and still trying to find themselves just as we are, is not good for us. Hatch indeed is a collection of relatable stories in the form of paintings and collages, and it has to be seen before one’s very eyes to be felt fully.

By: Sange Tshakumane

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