From October 4th to 7th, Gaborone, Botswana hosted an exhibition called ‘Ne Leo Gopotse,’ which means ‘ I missed you” in Setswana. This event, organised by the Banana Club Artist Fund (BCAF) and We Don;t Settle (WDS), marked as a celebratory moment in Botswana’s arts and culture scene especially for queer identities. The exhibition not only kicked off Pride celebrations across Africa but also sparked a much needed cultural conversation about art and African queer lives.
Curated by Mbako Kago Moemise, the exhibition focused on themes of belonging, care and remembrance. It showcased the experiences of queer individuals from Botswana and South Africa. Notable artists included Modisa Motsomi, Eileen Khan, Kim Karabo Makin, Thulaganyo Sekati and Olebogeng Esemang. This exhibition was more than just an art display.
One artist, Olebogeng Esemang created a triptych that addressed grief and tradition in Setswana culture. The artwork was a reflection on losing a loved one, using negative space to emphasise the weight of absence. Esemang’s work was both moving, opening up discussions about how different cultures cope with loss.
Similarly, Modisa Motsomx’s sculpture drew attention with its life-sized molds of their face surrounded by flowers and thread. This piece examined public and personal aspects of queer identity, touching on intimate experiences in the face of loss. It reflected the concept of a death mask, reminding us how we hold onto memories and identities when faced with grief.
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What made this exhibition even more special was its location: Moemise chose to display the artworks in his family home. This created a warm and nurturing space, contrasting with traditional exhibition environments. The home, usually a private sanctuary, transformed into a public celebration of queer identities, challenging the idea of who art is for and where it belongs.
In his curatorial statement, Moemise described ‘Ne Keo Gopotse’ as an exploration of care and memory, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging queer lives in a society that has historically overlooked them. His collage series, “Sunday Best,” blended queer history with elements of Catholic and African spirituality, igniting conversations about individual and collective identity.
A key theme of ‘Ne Keo Gopotse’ was the idea that memory is not a fixed concept; it constantly evolves based on our personal experiences and society’s changes. The exhibition showcased art as lively reflections of history and identity rather than static pieces.
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Moemise cleverly used the architectural symbolism of a home. For many, a home is a place of love and belonging, yet for queer individuals, it can sometimes feel like a space of rejection. This contrast was highlighted in the arrangement of the artworks, seamlessly blending delicate and bold pieces, and contrasting soft lighting with the raw emotional power of the work.
This exhibition was part of the Banana Club Artist Fund residency, which supports emerging artists from underserved communities. The theme, “The Audacity of Queer Joy,” rang true throughout the event, celebrating not just queer identity but the joy and resilience that comes from it.
