The RMB Latitudes Art Fair is set to take place in 2025, and this year, it will shine a spotlight on the art scene of Botswana. This special focus aims to connect artists and galleries from Botswana with audiences in South Africa and beyond. By showcasing the artistic culture of Botswana, the fair hopes to create lasting relationships and foster a deeper understanding of the country’s creative landscape.
Boitumelo Makousu, the curator for this year’s fair, explains that focusing on Botswana allows for an exploration of the country’s art and history. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the borders—both geographical and cultural—that shape Botswana’s identity in relation to South Africa.
The fair will feature a variety of artists, curators, and cultural groups from Botswana, including the TBP Artist Collective, The Space Botswana, ReCurate, Banana Club, and the Art Residency Centre Botswana (ARC). These groups will work together to tell a collective story while also highlighting their individual artistic interests. This collaboration aims to showcase the depth and variety of Botswana’s art scene, which is often overlooked.
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Botswana’s art is currently undergoing a transformation. Artists are moving away from traditional themes, such as landscapes and wildlife, and are instead looking more into new ideas and expressions. This shift is not about abandoning the past but rather about reinterpreting it. The artists are asserting their voices and creating a new narrative for Botswana’s contemporary art.
Linda Kachingwe-Sisya, who leads marketing and communications for RMB, shares that the company is committed to supporting Africa’s creative economy. By highlighting Botswana’s creative talents, RMB hopes to help artists gain more visibility and build connections across the continent.
One exciting aspect of the Botswana exposé is a special online collaboration with Ora Loapi, a project based in Gaborone that aims to uncover and share Botswana’s hidden visual histories. This initiative will help bring more attention to the country’s artistic heritage.
The TBP Artist Collective, based in Gaborone, will present a project inspired by the Pleiades star cluster, known as Selemela in Setswana. This symbol represents the start of the farming season and reflects the collective’s mission to cultivate and preserve Botswana’s contemporary artistic voice.
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The Art Residency Centre (ARC) will showcase a diverse group of artists who are pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms to find new ways of expression. ReCurate will look at themes of transition and uncertainty in Botswana’s contemporary art scene, while The Space Botswana will focus on collaboration as a way to overcome ambiguity.
Finally, the Banana Club will present work by contemporary painter Katlego Twala, whose portraits delve into the themes of memory and personal history. His art captures the fleeting nature of memories and how they shape our identities.
