Notes

Makamo began his practice at the Artist Proof Studio, where he fostered the beginnings of his figural studies and portraits. He often featured his young cousin Mapule Maoto in his charcoal and paint renditions – most notably on the cover of Time magazine’s 2019 ‘Optimists’ issue. The relationship he developed with his cousin led to an increased interest in portraying youth, something he is now particularly famed for.

In the present lot, Makamo represents the face of a young girl. Her features are iridescent with glints and gleams of colour and the hoop earrings catch this light. The multitude of colours and painterly brush strokes sculpt her features and highlight her direct, pointed stare.

Makamo is often non-specific in portraits, preferring to allow the colours and different markers such as spectacles, jewellery, and pieces of clothing to situate the painting. He notes that he is ‘not really focused on trying to portray [the sitters] as they are. When I look at someone, the moment I’ve seen them can feel so beautiful. I want to capture that moment on a canvas’.¹

1. C Nugent (2019) ‘The Story Behind the Painting on TIME's Optimists Cover’, Time Ideas, 7 February, available online at https://time.com/5505915/nelson-makamo-time-optimists-cover/

Provenance

Acquired from the artist by the current owner.