In celebration of South African Heritage, our high school art students are conducting an in-depth study of the life and compelling mixed-media work of contemporary artist, Nelson Makamo. Makamo, a globally recognized Johannesburg-based artist, is best known for his large-scale, expressive portraits of children, which he portrays not as subjects of destitution, but as figures of hope, resilience, and Africa's future. His signature style uses the monochromatic depth of charcoal for the figure, offset by vibrant, spontaneous pops of color in clothing or backgrounds, embodying what TIME magazine once called "The Art of Optimism."

To emulate the contrasting textures and tones of Makamo's unique mark-making, students are exploring unexpected materials. They begin by using painting with coffee—diluted to various strengths—to mimic the earthy, rich brown and sepia tones often achieved with charcoal, watercolor, or ink in Makamo's underlayers. This technique allows them to create the complex shading and structure of the face without relying solely on black. For the contrasting elements, students are experimenting with the intense colors and heavy mark-making capabilities of crayons and color pencils. They use these simple, familiar tools to apply the bright, almost childlike blocks of color that Makamo strategically places to symbolize energy and life, such as in a scarf or a vibrant background field. This approach encourages students to break traditional "scholarly rules" and focus on emotive mark-making, capturing the spirit and conviction that defines Makamo's powerful portraits.

KARSEN