On The Cover

Who Is Nelson Makamo 

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

Makamo has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in South Africa, France, Italy, America, Netherlands,The United Kingdom,Germany, Amsterdam and Scotland. His first solo exhibition, Walk with Me, was held at the Obert Contemporary Gallery in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. His most notable group exhibition was alongside established South African artists in Ten Years of Printmaking: David Krut Print Studio in 2006. Invited artists included David Koloane, Colbert Mashile, Deborah Bell and William Kentridge.

Nelson’s work is strongly influenced by the candid innocents of children. He is particularly drawn to children in rural South Africa, he believes that they embody the peace and harmony we all strive for in life, the search for eternal joy lies in the child within us all, we are just so consumed with worldly things that we forget the simplicity of life through a child’s perspective. He evolved his scope of experience so did his medium of expression, namely charcoal, acrylic, water colours, mono-types, silk screen and oil paintings

He refrains from planning his pieces and opts rather, for the canvas and days inspiration to lead him. His travels have allowed him the opportunity to exhibit in various locations around the world. UTS gallery in Edingburgh Scotland, Somma Lombardo business and art exhibition, Italy Leiden in the Netherlands and Everard read in Johannesburg.

Makamo’s work forms part of a few collections such as those of fashion mogul Georgio Armani, musician Annie Lennox, TELKOM, Hanzehof Zutphense KunstCollectis.

Nelson currently works as a full time artist from his studio in the heart of the city of Johannesburg. A space he deems to be the most sacred place in the world.

Solo Exhibitions

2017: I Am the Soul of Azania | Gallery of African Art GAFRA, London, England 

2016: Dipolelo Exhibition | Paris, France

2014: Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

2014: Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2013: Salon 91, Cape Town, South Africa

2011: Museum Africa, Johannesburg, South Africa

2010: Movement, Factory Gallery

2009: Sharing Realities II | African Studies Centre, Leiden, 

                Netherlands; Walk with Me, UTS Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland;

                A Place I Call Home | Gallery on the Square, Johannesburg, South Africa

2008: Moving into Light | KZNSA Gallery, Durban, South Africa;

                Sharing Realities | Gallery Izarte, Zutphen, Netherlands

2005: Walk with Me | Obert Contemporary Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

 

Group Exhibitions

2017: No Commission Dean Collection | Krafwerk Rummelsberg, Berlin, Germany

2017: Salon Zurcher Africa Art Fair | Zurcher Gallery, New York, USA

2016: Post it | Constitution Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa 

2015: 1:54 Contemporary African Art Fair | CIRCA Gallery, London, UK

2014: FNB Joburg Art Fair | Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa 

2013: Art Angels | Ellerman House Charity Auctions

2012: Figuring Differences | curated by Andrew Lamprecht, salon 91, Cape Town;

                21st Anniv. Celebration of Artist Proof Studios | Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2010: Young Contemporaries | Galerie Nikki Diana Marquardt, Paris France;

                My City | Arts on Main, Johannesburg, South Africa;

2009: City Link | Gallery 23, Amsterdam, Netherlands;

                Gallery on the Square, Sandton, Johannesburg

2007: Cultural and Business Art Exhibition | Somma Lombardo, Italy 

                Making Identity | The Thompson Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2006: Ten Years of Printmaking | David Krut Print Studios, Johannesburg, South Africa

                Student and Staff Artists Proof Studio Exhibition | Gallery on the Square, Johannesburg South Africa

2003: Student and Staff Artists Proof Studio Exhibition | RAU Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa