Atang Arnold, the founder and curator of The Space Botswana Art Gallery and Creative Hub, was recently shortlisted in the prestigious Athena 40 Awards in London.
The Athena 40 Awards honor women who drive change and innovation in their respective fields. Arnold’s commitment to using creative expression to address climate change and uplift marginalised communities made her a fitting choice for this year’s shortlist. Her UP-UP Cycle project, which transforms waste into artistic works, has garnered widespread acclaim for its sustainability-driven approach to art.
Reflecting on the significance of her shortlisting, Arnold expressed gratitude for the recognition, emphasising that her work is not just personal but extends to the community and the nation as a whole.
“For me, it meant that I am being purposeful as well. I hope my journey inspires others by showing them that while the path may look beautiful in pictures, the reality is challenging,” Arnold said. “Success requires relentless effort, continuous collaboration, and the determination to keep going even when financial rewards are not immediate.”
Recognised in the ESG and the Arts category, Arnold’s groundbreaking work in environmental sustainability and social impact through art has propelled her onto the global stage.
She emphasised the importance of perseverance in the face of difficulties. “I keep on hearing successful people saying that to get wherever you need to be—whether to be a millionaire, a billionaire, or, in my case, to be impactful and purposeful—you just have to put in the work. You have to keep collaborating, even when there’s no money in sight. You have to trust in your journey and support others along the way,” she said.
Her participation in the awards was made possible through the support of the National Arts Council of Botswana, which provided her with a Mobility Grant. This backing highlights Botswana’s commitment to promoting cultural exchange and strengthening the role of the arts in societal transformation.
Following her return from London, Arnold has continued to expand her influence, currently undertaking a two-week residency in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. There, she is working as a curator and gallerist to launch a new initiative,
This partnership aims to foster greater collaboration between galleries and artist residencies across the continent, building on the success of The Space Botswana. Finally, she teased that there is a lot more she has planned on the horizon but only shared that her followers should follow her social media pages on instagram and facebook, thespacebotswana, for more updates.
