Unbeknown to many in the home region — in the year 1982 a bouncing baby boy was born down the rolling hills of Thaba ya Modimolle (Kranskop) — and his parents named him Nelson.
In recent days — or Thursday 7 February to be exact — the whole circumference of the artistic community was left gasping after Nelson Makamo’s paintings found pride of place on the front page
of the most influential magazine in the world, TIME.
His paintings formed part of a special edition dedicated to optimism.
The magazine’s front page was designed against the backdrop of a portraiture of a rather innocent little girl created by none other than Makamo.
Indeed the Modimolle-born artist’s profile observes that Makamo’s work “is strongly influenced by the candid innocence of children”.
The profile continues to record that Makamo “is particularly drawn to children in rural South Africa, (who) he believes embody the peace and harmony we all strive for in life”.
Makamo has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in South Africa, France, Italy, America, Netherlands,The United Kingdom,Germany, Amsterdam and Scotland.
He currently works as a full time artist from his studio in Johannesburg.
At the time of going to print, The BEAT had dispatched a questionnaire to Makamo, asking him to talk to, among others, how he envisaged inspiring established and struggling artists in the
Waterberg.
Makamo’s manager promised the artist would most definitely open up about the latter issues in due course.
— The BEAT
