Men Hunting Gemsbok - QAEQHAO MOSES

Men Hunting Gemsbok - QAEQHAO MOSES

Lino

540 x 380 mm

unframed

Qaeqhao Moses (Qãetcao Moses)

Qaeqhao Moses, often known simply as Moses, is a distinguished Kuru artist from Botswana celebrated for his evocative paintings and printmaking that vividly celebrate San culture, the rich wildlife of the Kalahari, and his personal experiences living close to nature.

Background and Artistic Journey
Born in D’kar, north of Ghanzi, Moses began his artistic career in 1994 when he joined the Kuru Art Project under the mentorship of artists like Thamae Setshogo, Dada Ogam, and Thamae Gaashe. Drawing inspiration from his upbringing on his father's farm—where hunting and gathering are ways of life—his work powerfully reflects San traditions, lifestyles, and mythology. Moses is largely self-taught, developing his skills by observing fellow artists and engaging deeply with his cultural environment.

Career Highlights
In 1997, Moses received a notable commission to create a mosaic floor panel at Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone, marking a significant milestone in his career. In 2002, he moved to Gaborone to work at the Thapong Visual Arts Centre, further expanding his artistic circle and opportunities. Moses has also participated in international workshops, including a pivotal experience in Australia, where exposure to Aboriginal rock art profoundly influenced his stylistic approach.

Artistic Style and Medium
Moses primarily produces linocut prints and paintings that frequently employ warm, vibrant colors such as yellows and oranges. He is known for experimenting with mosaic tiles—breaking images into colorful, small squares, creating dynamic compositions that echo the patterns found in nature and San art traditions. His prints often feature small repeated points reminiscent of Aboriginal art techniques, reflecting his cross-cultural inspirations.

Themes and Inspirations
Central to Moses’ work is the preservation and celebration of San culture through visuals of hunting scenes, gathering practices, and the myths surrounding plants and animals of the Kalahari. His art acts as a living archive, sustaining ancestral knowledge and sharing it with wider audiences. Moses frequently returns to Thabong in the bush to renew his connection with the land and culture, particularly during periods when the Wildlife Department issues hunting licenses to San people, allowing traditional hunting practices to continue legally.

Community and Teaching
Committed to cultural preservation, Moses dedicates himself to teaching the next generation not just artistic techniques like multi-color lino printing but also the oral traditions and wisdom intrinsic to San heritage. He believes that knowledge must be actively passed down to remain alive and vibrant.

Collaborations
Moses was part of a collaborative project involving fourteen Kuru artists which produced Qauqwa, a book interweaving their artwork with a collective narrative crafted under the guidance of project leader Tamar Mason.

Qaeqhao Moses remains a vital figure in Botswana’s contemporary art scene, bridging traditional San storytelling with modern artistic practices to foster cultural pride and awareness globally.