Renowned SA artist Nelson Makamo will be at Harvard University in Boston in the US this week as a visiting scholar of the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies.

He will also be the recipient of a Vanguard Award from the Harvard African Students’ Association during their Africa Week celebrations, which started on Tuesday and is scheduled to end on Saturday.

Makamo, who was born in Modimolle in Limpopo but is now based in Johannesburg, has exhibited in group and solo exhibitions in SA, Europe and the US.

The association’s president, Mfundo Radebe, said this year’s theme for the African community at Harvard was “celebrating progress”, which sought to highlight the advances made by Africa in the arts, music, fashion, and literature, in addition to economic growth and democratic governance.

“Makamo’s focus on the brilliance of the African child and his vibrant and bold artwork represents that very progress,” said Radebe.

Radebe further added that Makamo will engage in a series of events while at Harvard. “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.

“In addition, Makamo will engage in student and faculty lunches,” he said.

Radebe said Harvard aimed to provide a global platform to current leaders and visionary thinkers, as well as future leaders who champion progress above anything else.

“We’re excited for Makamo to visit Harvard and share with students and faculty his progressive vision for the African art space,” he added.