Thebe Phetogo

Thebe Phetogo, born in 1993 in Serowe, Botswana, is a prominent figure in contemporary African art. After completing his undergraduate studies, Phetogo pursued higher education in art at the prestigious Michaelis School of Fine Art in Cape Town, South Africa, where he earned both his Postgraduate Diploma and a Masters in Fine Art in 2017 and 2019, respectively. His academic journey laid a solid foundation for his artistic career, enabling him to explore and refine his unique visual language.

Phetogo's work has been showcased in a variety of settings, spanning both his home country of Botswana and South Africa. Notably, he was a part of the Thapong Artist of the Year exhibition in Gaborone in 2016 and the ABSA L’Atelier Top 100 exhibition in Johannesburg in the same year. His participation in these exhibitions highlights his rising prominence in the art scene and his ability to resonate with a diverse audience.

2019 marked a significant year for Phetogo, as he was featured in The Botswana Pavilion exhibitions, which included ‘No Return’ at Gallery Momo in Cape Town and ‘Subjective Nationhood’ at the Botswana National Museum and Gallery. These exhibitions provided him with platforms to engage with broader narratives and contribute to the dialogue surrounding contemporary African art.

In addition to these accomplishments, Phetogo was recognized as a finalist for the prestigious 2019 Cassirer Welz Award, further solidifying his status as a notable emerging artist. This accolade is a testament to his talent, dedication, and the compelling nature of his work.

Phetogo's artistic journey also led him to participate in the Arthouse Foundation artist residency in Lagos, Nigeria, in early 2020. This residency offered him an invaluable opportunity to immerse himself in a different cultural and artistic environment, fostering new insights and inspirations that continue to inform his practice.

Throughout his career, Thebe Phetogo has demonstrated a commitment to exploring and expressing complex themes through his art. His work, characterized by its thoughtful engagement with cultural, social, and personal narratives, continues to captivate and inspire audiences both within Africa and internationally. As he progresses in his career, Phetogo remains a dynamic and influential voice in the evolving landscape of contemporary African art.

‍