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South African Artist Nelson Makamo Will Receive a Vanguard Award from Harvard University

07 March 2018. Nelson Makamo was born in Nylstroom (now Modimolle), Limpopo province, in 1982. Makamo moved to Johannesburg to join the Artist Proof Studio in January 2003. He was the recipient of the Johnson and Johnson bursary (2005) and the Pinpointone Human Resources Scholarship (2005). Makamo has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in South Africa, France, Italy, America, Netherlands and Scotland. His first solo exhibition, Walk with Me, was held at the Obert Contemporary Gallery in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg. On Wednesday the 7th March he will be showcasing at CIRCA Cape Town for the opening of his new solo exhibition. Exhibition concludes 30th March 2018 . Picture: Moeletsi Mabe/Sunday Times

The award will be presented to him by the Harvard African Students’ Association.

Renowned South African artist, Nelson Makamo, is heading to Harvard University. Makamo, whose oil painting of a child appeared on the cover of Time Magazine’s Optimists issue earlier this year, will be a visiting scholar of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies. Aside from giving a lecture about the future of art in Africa, he will also be receiving a Vanguard award from the Harvard African Students’ Association in recognition of his progressive art.

Nelson Makamo is no small name in the art world with a fan-base including the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Ava Duvernay

Mfundo Radebe, President of the Harvard African Students’ Association, commented on Makamo’s visit saying:

“Makamo’s focus on the brilliance of the African child and his vibrant and bold artwork represents that very progress…He will deliver a lecture at the Harvard Art Museums, a talk with the Center for African Studies, as well as be a discussant during the Radcliffe Institute’s Beauties exhibition by US artist Willie Cole…We’re excited for Makamo to visit Harvard and share with students and faculty his progressive vision for the African art space.”

Makamo’s unique style draws from the “candid innocence of children”, particularly rural South African children. He has exhibited his art in Italy, Scotland and the Netherlands, and is currently based in Johannesburg. Read more about the artist here.

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