Visiting an artist in his studio, one would expect to see art pieces everywhere and to be welcomed by the smell of paint. Walking through the white door on the fourth floor of August House in Joburg's inner city, we're greeted by big eyes on canvas. Big eyes everywhere, watching us.
Those striking eyes are on the beautiful faces of children painted in Nelson Makamo's recognisable, messy, short brushstrokes. The artist invites us in. He's just woken up. "I sleep late and today I overslept but thanks to my manager, I have to attend to such things," he refers to our interview.
For the first time in three years, Makamo is showing his latest body of work in South Africa.Titled The Re-Awakening, the exhibition opened on Wednesday in Cape Town. The artist says this body of work is about the lack of political and religious influence on today's generation when it comes to getting things done, especially creatively.
"I was born in the '80s and I've found that certain structures restricted our options on who we wanted to be or where we wanted to go. We are the generation that says 'F**k institutions'. It's about developing our own growth without the influence of politics and we should no longer make apartheid an excuse for not going after our dreams."
He refers to this attitude among the youth as the "rebirth of cool", and emphasises that we're the generation that is supposed to be revolutionary and politically conscious.
"People understand the concept of freedom in various ways and we have moved past [having] a single perspective. This body of work depicts today's youth in a re-imagined future. One where the perspective of black youth is no longer that of disadvantage or despair, but that of bright lights that will illuminate the future of the continent," he says.
Born in 1982 in Limpopo, Makamo is known for his vibrant portraits set in pulsating African urbanised landscapes, which he explains as his reflection on the migration of youth from rural South Africa to cities.
"I reflect on the things that our forefathers didn't have and look at how kids are now able to enjoy things like ice cream and walking around wearing earphones."But there are drawbacks to the perks. "We are the generation that is resourceful but we're also the generation that is overly excited and overly bored and we're not able to maintain our excitement."
Makamo's work is globally celebrated. One of his biggest fans is American hip-hop superstar producer Swizz Beatz. The artist says Africa now has valuable currency in the art world, with many African artists receiving global recognition.
"As much as we're called African artists, we must remember that there are African artists who've relocated overseas and their work reflects Africa. But you don't need to be in New York, Paris or London for the world to respect your work," he says.
Last year Makamo had a solo exhibition at London's Gallery of African Art titled I Am the Soul of Azania. He was also part of a group exhibition in Berlin.
August House, also known as the "Artists' Playground", is where you'll find Makamo, often in his most comfortable sweat pants and T-shirt, and hands full of paint.
"This is where I live and breathe and I don't see myself doing anything but painting. I knew how to sketch before I could write my name," he says. "Whether I'm taking a swim or eating, I find inspiration in everything I do. I don't feel passionate about anything else. I don't go on holidays. I find enjoyment and peace of mind in what I do."..