Once again the sculptors from New Xade and Kacgae settlements had the chance to come together through the Ministry of Basic Education of Botswana, for their fourth workshop in New Xade settlement, outside the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.
Twenty-three participants and myself, the facilitator, worked as a group from 07 – 25 June 2021 with old root pieces, mostly Mophane and Camel Thorn.
We all knew each other well from the previous three workshops, apart from the three newcomers from Kacgae settlement. The atmosphere was great, full of anticipation of creating new sculptures and sharing good times by the fire in the cold winter evenings and mornings. The Ministry provided all our meals and a tent to sleep in, so there were no worries, all was cared for.
The levels of ability of conceptualizing and shaping the root pieces had grown in many of the sculptors over the past years, except for the new carvers for whom the creative process ahead was still new and uncertain.
The sculptors like to discuss each others work in a group to share ideas and insights.
This beautiful antelope head was Tobacco’s first sculpture.
This was Obakeng’s third workshop. He is a talented sculptor with a cheerful personality, always ready to assist others with their technical challenges.
Halese Xlaoje is one of the elders of New Xade Village. He has a subtle and refined understanding of sculpture, and I feel privileged to see his rapid development as a sculptor.
Halese’s giraffe sculpture is a masterpiece, and was greatly admired by the visitors. He sold his work at the last day of the workshop.
The artists decided to give their group the name, “Tcorii Sculptors“. Tcorii means the root of the tree in the mother tongue of the two groups, and the sculptors want to present themselves to the public with this branding.
Thank you to the Ministry of Basic Education for their hard work and support, and to the Austrian Embassy in Pretoria for their donation of 23 carving tool kits.