NELSON MAKAMO

(b. 1982, Limpopo, South Africa)

In my work, I reflect on the movement of culture amongst the youth living in and around the city. My observation is that there is an exchange between people where we adopt each other’s cultures that are relevant to our respective ages. I am greatly fascinated by this, and how we in turn manage our identity with different personas. Therefore, my work aims to show that we are always changing and moving in a path of self discovery. My work does not represent a certain group of people, it moves across cultures and generations.

Known for his vibrant portraits set in pulsating African urbanized landscapes, Nelson Makamo is a celebrated, young South African artist. Observing with astute sensitivity the chaotic energy of the city, Makamo strives to capture everyday people going about their ordinary lives as the contemporary world accelerates around them.

Joining the Artist Proof Studio (Johannesburg) in 2003, Makamo was the recipient of the Johnson & Johnson International bursary. He exhibited alongside fellow South African artists William Kentridge, Deborah Bell and David Koloane in Ten Years of Printmaking at the David Krut Print Studio in 2006. Makamo has exhibited in America, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Scotland, and is included in various international public and private collections. His solo exhibition, A New Lease on Life, recently ran at CIRCA Gallery, Johannesburg and major exhibitions of his work will take place at Everard Read, Cape Town and CIRCA Gallery London in 2016/17.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

 2022    Nelson Makamo, Rise Art, London, UK

 2021    Fordutitude, Makasinni Contemporary Gallery, Finland

            Human Grace, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa

            Blue, 1242 Palmetto Street, Los Angeles, USA

2020    Botho, Motho, Batho, Botho Project Space, Johannesburg, South Africa

2019    Nelson Makamo in Paris, Loo & Lou Gallery, Paris, France 

2018    New Works, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

            The Re-Awakening, Everard Read, CApe Town, South Africa

2017    Souls of Azania, Gallery of African Art, London, UK

2016     Dipolelo, Galerie Fatiha Selam, Paris, France

2015     New Works, CIRCA Johannesburg, South Africa

2014      Generations, Everard Read Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa

                A New Lease on Life, Everard Read Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

2010      Movement, Factory gallery

2009      Sharing Realities II, African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

                Walk with Me, UTS Gallery, Edinghburgh, Scotland, UK

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

2008      Moving into Light, KZNSA Gallery, Durban,

                Sharing Realities, Gallery Izarte, Zutphen, Netherlands

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

GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2021     ARCOLisboa, with Everard Read, Lisbon, Portugal

             Emancipated Imaginaries, curated by Armelle Dakouo, part of AKAA & Manifesta, Lyon, France

2020     AKAA Fair, with Botho Project Space, Paris, France

            Say it Loud, curated by Destinee Ross-Sutton, Christie's, New York, USA

            Staring Straight to the Future, digital exhibition, Everard Read, South Africa

            TINY2020, Everard Read, Johannesburg, South Africa

2018     1:54 Fair, with GAFRA Gallery, London, UK

2017     No Commission, Dean Collection Kraftwerk, Rummelsburg, Germany

             African Art Fair, with Zurcher Gallery, New York, USA

2016     Post It, Constitution Hill, Group Exhibition, Johannesburg, South Africa

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

             FNB Jo-burg Art Fair, Everard Read Gallery Booth, Johannesburg, South Africa

            WINTER, Everard Read, Cape Town, 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, South Africa

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

2003      Student and Staff Artists Proof Studio Exhibition, Wits Substation Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

              Print Marathon, RAU Art Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

              Print Marathon, Boston, USA

PUBLICATIONS

The Arts Section (2010) Street Art. True Love, pp 90

Hengen, E (2010) Das Wahre Gesicht Suidafrokas, Tageblatt, 18

Zvomuya, P. (2010) Jozi for the Alienated. Mail and Guardian, pp 6

SELECTED COLLECTIONS

City of Johannesburg

Matasis Investment Holdings (Company named after Mandela, Tambo and Sisulu)- ObertGallery

Standard Chartered
Telkom

Unisa