Decoration of the Youth, charcoal, pastel, ink and oil on Belgian linen canvas, 200×250 cm, 2019, ©Andile Buka

NELSON MAKAMO

Nelson Makamo is an artist based in Johannesburg. He was born in 1982 in a town called Modimolle, in South Africa’s Limpopo province. Gifted with an astounding artistic aptitude in drawing and painting, Makamo honed his craft at Artist Proof Studios in Johannesburg, where he studied printmaking for 3 years.

Makamo has exhibited his work in group and solo exhibitions in South Africa, Europe, England and the US. He has shown in group shows alongside other South African artists, including David Koloane, Colbert Mashile, Deborah Bell, and William Kentridge.

Nelson’s work is strongly influenced by the candid innocence of children, particularly those in rural South Africa. He believes that they embody the peace and harmony that we all strive for in life. For him, the joy and simplicity in which children perceive life and human interactions still resides in each and everyone of us. Thus, he hopes to help the viewer relive these forgotten notions.

Makamo’s work is included in many collections such as those of fashion icon Giorgio Armani, musician Annie Lennox, Hanzehof Zutphense Kunst Collectis, DJ Black Coffee, Swizz Beatz, Oprah Winfrey, Ava Duvernay, to name a few.

His most recent achievement is one of his artwork gracing TIME magazine’s cover  for their Special Edition on optimism, which was guest edited by acclaimed film director Ava Duvernay.

EXHIBITIONS

2018
FNB Joburg art fair, Stand Ll Editions, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
The Re-awakening, CIRCA Gallery, Le Cap, South-Africa.
1:54, exposition collective, Stand GAFRA Gallery, Londres, England.
2017
1:54, Stand GAFRA Gallery, Londres, England.
No Commission, Dean Collection, Berlin, Germany.
We are the souls of Azania, GAFRA Gallery, Londres, England.
Salon Zurcher Africa Art Fair, exposition collective, Zurcher Gallery, New York, United-States.
DDESSIN17, foire de dessin contemporain, exposition collective, Atelier Richelieu, Paris, France.
Fuir, exposition collective, Fondation Blachère, Apt, France.
Résidence, Fondation Blachère, Apt, France.
2016
Dipôlelo, Galerie Fatiha Selam, sous le commissariat Anna Reverdy, Paris, France.
Post It, exposition collective, Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
Résidence, SAFFCA Fondation, Saint-Émilion, France.
2015
1:54, exposition collective, Stand CIRCA Gallery, Londres, England.
2014
Everard Read, Le Cap, South-Africa.
Everard Read, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
FNB Joburg art fair, exposition collective, Stand Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
Winter, exposition collective, Everard Read Gallery, Le Cap, South-Africa.
2013
Salon 91, Le Cap, South-Africa.
2012
Figuring differences, exposition collective, Andrew Lamprecht commissaire d'exposition, salon 91, Le Cap, South-Africa.
Les 21 ans de Artist Proof Studio, exposition collective, Johannesburg Art Gallery, South-Africa.
2011
Museum of Africa, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
2010
Young Contemporaries, exposition collective, Galleria Nikki Diana Marquardt, Paris, France.
2009
Sharing Realities II, African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherland.
Walking with Me, UTS Gallery, Edinburg, Scotland.
A Place I Call Home, Gallery on the Square, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
City Link, exposition collective, Gallery 23, Amsterdam, Netherland.
Gallery on the Square, exposition collective, Sandton, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
2008
Moving into Light, KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South-Africa.
Sharing Realities, Gallery Izarte, Zutphen, Netherland.
2007
Cultural and Business Art Exhibition, exposition collective, Somma Lombardo, Italy.
Making Identity, exposition collective, The Thompson Gallery, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
2006
Ten Years of Printmaking, exposition collective, David Krut Print Studios, Johannesburg, South-Africa.
2005
Walk with me, Obert Contemporary Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South-Africa.