BIOGRAPHY: Nelson Makamo
Nelson was born in Nylstroom (now Modimolle) in Limpopo in 1982. He participated in a number of local exhibitions in Limpopo before finding his way to Artist Proof Studio in 2003. He was initially supported in his APS studies through a bursary from Johnson & Johnson International and later through a Pinpoint One Human Resources scholarship. He received his APS Certificate in Advanced Professional Printmaking in 2005. Since then, Nelson has worked as a professional artist and as marketing and sales administrator for the APS Gallery.
In January 2009, Nelson resigned from the Gallery position to devote himself full-time to his art, in light of the fact that he has seven solo shows to prepare for in 2009! His solo show sponsored by Pinpoint One and BASA at the Gallery on the Square in Sandton opens on the 6th May. Shows are also planned in galleries in Amsterdam and Edinburgh. Nelson held his first solo show at the Obert Contemporary Art Gallery in Melrose Arch in 2005, sponsored by Pinpoint One human resources. He has also had previous shows in the Netherlands and Italy. In addition, he has undertaken numerous commissions for murals and other artworks.
Nelson was selected as Art South Africa’s seventh Bright Young Thing in 2007. Robyn Sassen wrote that he ‘works with the idea of a visual diary and his sketchpad is his constant companion’. Nelson says that ‘My work is my life, pain and joy from the first piece to the last piece, and in my work I am a storyteller, a narrator. I tell stories of places I have been, people I have met, but most importantly, I beautify everything that is before my eyes. My recent work is about “moving into light” and “sharing realities”… What I am saying is: come walk with me and see what I see”.
 IMG_3160.png |
 IMG_3155.png |
 IMG_3154.png |
 IMG_3147.png |