Nelson Makamo’s representations of African vernacular rooted images of black children

ABSTRACT

My paper offers an interpretative approach using visual analysis. In doing so, the paper contributes a discourse on artworks by the South African artist, Nelson Makamo, and focuses on the images drawn from black children. And ‘the predominant theme, black child, is examined as African vernacular rooted images. He uses the motif of the African child to reflect on different’lived experiences of black children in South Africa. Thus, his paintings and drawings were selected and ‘analysed for their formal content and contexts, and the discussion is framed by the insight gained through interviews with the artist’. While several ideas are reflected in each of the works analysed, the works highlight the contemporary social issue of homelessness experienced by rural-urban migrants, the early training of a black child in carrying out responsibility, the socio-ethical humanism in African communities, especially in the upbringing of black African child, and the effects of technology on regard for African cultural values in a young African child who adopts headphone in the postcolonial era. Through these, it is argued that Makamo’s representations of ‘black African children engage a discourse that contributes to global contemporaneity’.

KEYWORDS:

• Black children
• images
• African vernacular
• Makamo
• contemporary art

Acknowledgments

I want to appreciate Nelson Makamo for his cooperation and time during interview for my research on his works. Aside from the first interview I had with him in August House, Johannesburg on 6 November 2017, when there was need to gain further insights and authorise claims on some of his works, he was kind enough to respond through personal communication on 8 March 2021. His responses were helpful in preparing this article. I also want to thank the reviewers of this paper, as their corrections and input were found useful.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. Some of the national and international exhibitions Nelson Makamo participated in include solo and group exhibitions. His Solo exhibitions include 2018 The Re-Awakening, CIRCA Cape Town, South Africa; 2017 I am the of Azania, Gallery of African Art (GAFRA) London, UK; 1:54 Art Fair, London. UK; 2016 Dipolelo Exhibition, 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. 2009 Sharing Realities II, African Studies Centre, Leiden, Netherlands and Walk with Me, UTS Gallery, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. Just to mention a few.

2. Makamo, Nelson. 2017. Interview by author 6 November, August House, Johannesburg.

3. Ibid.

4. Imaging the black child as a symbolic representation of the African continent that is moving forward is one of the ideas Makamo reflects on in his depiction of the black child.

5. Ibid.

6. He expressed this view during an interview with him in his studio at Johannesburg. In his view, the black child can turn great if given attention and modelled adequately in the present.

7. During the interview, Makamo revealed that his drawing and painting techniques, and the media he uses, were influenced by his training at the Artists Proof Studio, Johannesburg.

8. Makamo, Nelson. 2017. Interview by author 6 November, August House, Johannesburg.

9. Makamo, Nelson. 2017. Interview by author 6 November, August House, Johannesburg.

10. Makamo made these expressions about audience reception of artworks during interviews at his studio in Johannesburg.

11. Ibid

12. Ibid

13. Grace Malley, in an email interview on 18 October 2021, expressed her thoughts on the role Everard Read Gallery has played in the marketing of Nelson Makamo’s works.

14. Grace Malley notes that they operate under strict confidentiality. In terms of the statistics of the commercially most successful black African artist, she added that they do not have statistics like this, for the secondary market, one can contact the auction houses to verify this. Nelson Makamo should be at or near the top of that list and most likely in the company of artists like Sam Nhlengethwa and Zanele Muholi (if we are looking at living artists with huge local and international presence). In the primary market, we are not privy to the financial statistics of artists represented by other galleries, so one can only hazard an educated guess.

15. Makamo’s expression on the idea he reflected on in the composition during an interview in 2017.

16. See Flahaux and De Haas, 2016, p. 2. The authors argue that migration taking place in Africa is an indicator of system failure.

17. Makamo, Nelson. 2017. Interview by author 6 November, August House, Johannesburg.

18. See Robert Mopunde as he argues the rise of different forms of identities children choose in postcolonial childhood. This is done in place of national identity.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sule Ameh James

Sule Ameh James obtained his Ph.D. in Visual Studies from the University of Pretoria. His research focuses on modern/contemporary art history and visual culture.