After featuring on the front cover of TIME magazine, local artist Nelson Makamo is continuing to make international strides, with the announcement that he will be receiving a Vanguard award from the Harvard African Students association (HASA).
Makamo is renowned for his brightly-coloured pieces which depict the youth and people of South Africa.
Hailing from Modimolle, Limpopo, Makamo now lives in Johannesburg and has had his work purchased and exhibited across the world.
The artist will travel to Harvard University in Boston in the United States to be a keynote speaker at the Africa Week event and receive the prestigious Vanguard Award.
Mokomo will be visiting as a scholar of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies.
HASA’s president, Mfundo Radebe, told TimesLIVE that Makamo’s work is an integral part of the event as it focuses on the theme of “celebrating progress” of Africans in various sectors, including fashion, art, literature, and more.
“Makamo’s focus on the brilliance of the African child and his vibrant and bold artwork represents that very progress.”
He went on to add that Makamo will be sharing his wisdom with budding learners at the university.
“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.”
Radebe is looking forward to Makamo sharing his knowledge and insight on African art.
“We’re excited for Makamo to visit Harvard and share with students and faculty his progressive vision for the African art space,” he said.
Picture: Nelson Makamo, Facebook