Renee Eisen-Khonat| Yo O Sa Leleng
Renee Eisen-Khonat is delighted to present
Edward Degas once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” I believe the artists of Yo O Sa Leleng have successfully embarked o this mission, creating a powerful exhibition. This showcase calls upon the viewer to listen and see what might be easily overlooked. It's a rare opportunity within our borders to witness artists not only presenting the world around us but also serving as protagonists for social change. It is a compelling call for us as a civil society to contemplate our role in that dialogue and change. - Renee Eisen-Khonat, Exhibition Curatorial Advisor, online curatorial facilitator.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”
- Martin Luther King Jr.
Batswana are often praised by world leaders for being a peaceful people. Indeed, we are, but this peace often stems from an aversion to conflict. We are a people governed by fear: afraid to communicate with our elders, afraid to engage our children, afraid to confront ourselves and our history, afraid to criticize our systems and practices, and afraid of change.
Our pervasive fear of facing social consequences for deviating from established norms is evident in our subdued approach to self-expression. From our personal sense of style to lifestyle choices, such as the cars we drive and the nature of our romantic relationships, our expression seems tempered by apprehension. Even our aspirations for our country and its people appear constrained by this fear, as demonstrated by consistently re-electing the same government every decade.
We have been hesitant to fully test the boundaries of our democracy. It is crucial to explore and challenge the limits of freedom of expression across various platforms, along with other aspects of democracy. Yo O Sa Leleng aims to achieve this by showcasing the works of six different artists, addressing topics from the intricacies of the country's political infrastructure to themes of race, identity, and religion. This exhibition invites artists and spectators alike to probe, question and interrupt. The works aim to challenge cultural constraints and break down invisible barriers between people and established customs, revealing the raw, unvarnished truth that we often shy away from.
“Yo o sa leleng” is derived from a Setswana idiom: “ngwana yo o sa leleng, o swela tharing”, warning that suffering in silence leads to preventable demise. This saying mirrors what I believe to be the reality in Botswana today: people, like the baby , muffled moans and grimace, writhing in pain. Their mother continues to carry them, but with her back turned. unless their cries grow loud and urgent enough to alert those nearby, they will eventually perish.
Aside from highlighting societal woes, the objective is to encourage dialogue around cultural and political constructs while serving as a catalyst for introspection and change. Overall, this series invites visitors to question, reflect, and be a part of a movement that emphasizes the transformative power of voice in reshaping our world.
- Giancarlo LeGuerta Exhibition Curator
The show runs from 16 - 30 November 2023 (physical) & 25 November - 20 December 2023 (online).
Read More
