Since its establishment in 2006, in the capital of Lesotho, Maseru, the Majid Art Gallery has been exhibiting a wide range of paintings, handcrafts and sculptures honed by the skilled hands of the people of Lesotho. Some of them are Thabo Sehlabo, Meshu Mokitimi, Motloheloa Nthaisana, Ts'episo Lesenyeho and many more.
The Gallery
Adbel Majid, the founder of the Majid Art Gallery says he decided to open the art gallery to:
- Exhibit the talent of the people of Lesotho
- Promote their unique traditional art works internationally
- Give Lesotho a strong identity
Exhibits
One of the fascinating exhibits is the painting of a woman carrying a child on her back, stirring food in a pot on a fire. Others are those of a man with a cow, and a man blowing a flute or playing a bassoon. Majid says these paintings display deeper inside feelings which include:
- The strong desire of a mother to protect her children
- A troubled soul of a loving husband
- A father who is longing to be with his wife and children
Artists in Lesotho
Today, being an artist or just an art collector can bring huge financial rewards. But what is it like to be an artist and live in Lesotho? Many artists admit that life in Lesotho as an artist is hand-to-mouth. Most of well-established artists in Lesotho find it hard to make a living and it could even be worse for those upcoming artists who are trying to find their feet in the world of arts.
One of them, Ts'episo Lesenyeho, began participating in art exhibitions in 1984, when he was 16. The materials he used at that time were very poor, as he was not aware of high quality art supplies. He drew on the cardboard of soapboxes. In Lesotho, it is primarily foreigners who buy his work, as most of local people do not have an interest in purchasing artwork.
Painting and Challenges
To paint, some artists use water colours, plaka, acrylic, charcoal, oil paints, pencil and ink and the main challenge facing them is awareness about the value of art. In order to tackle this challenge, they:
- Exhibit their work in places like Majid Art Gallery in Lesotho
- Opt to exhibit outside the country of Lesotho
- Approach the government to value thier artistic talent
Painting in Lesotho is a very crucial profession as it is very rare, and places like Majid Art gallery are important as they portray this talent locally and internationally.
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