Makamo Shares Process Of Crafting The New Betway Prem Trophy

Renowned artist Nelson Makamo is currently designing the new Betway Premiership trophy. Let's explore his design plans for the cup and take a look at some of his past artworks.

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Last month, Betway South Africa, in collaboration with the Premier Soccer League (PSL), revealed the exciting plans for the design of the new Betway Premiership trophy set to be designed by the renowned international artist Nelson Makamo.

Makamo, whose bespoke works are celebrated worldwide, has partnered with Betway to lead the creative direction of this unique design process. 

The journey will culminate in the unveiling of the Betway Premiership Trophy at the end of the inaugural season. As part of its dedication to South African football, the trophy will be presented as the PSL's Lifetime league trophy.

In a press release shared by the PSL late last month, it was revealed that Makamo grew up playing the game and was named after one of South Africa's greatest players, Nelson 'Teenage' Dladla.

He expressed his excitement on being a part of such a landmark project for South African football, sharing, "I can say that football really is in my blood. I know what it has done for us as a people, and when I received this call, I was humbled by the opportunity and the responsibility given to me," he said.

"I have worked around the world, but this project means so much to me because it is something that we will look at years from now and be proud of what we have created," noted Makamo.

The Limpopo-bred and Johannesburg-based artist will invite fans into his design process for the trophy over the next six months, with updates of his research, inspiration and creation phases of the trophy set to be shared across Betway and the PSL's social media pages.

In his first creative process video, Makamo is seen in his studio speaking about what football and this project means to him as an artist and a fan of the sport.

"Creating something that will be a symbol for all of us and when I learnt more about the project, it was also to look at the heritage and how do we celebrate South Africa, especially soccer as one sport that manages to give and offer therapy to a lot of people during the dark period of the country as well," stated Makamo on the importance of this trophy.

Makamo also revealed that fans have gone as far as sending messages on social media, demanding updates on the trophy design.

Watch below:

In terms of his artworks, the 42-year-old is renowned for his charcoal and oil paintings that challenge long-standing portrayals of African children as impoverished.

His illustrious career, which spans sixteen years now, began after he received his formal training at Artist Proof Studios in Johannesburg and has since developed a distinctive style and subject matter that have garnered international recognition, including a Time Magazine cover in 2019.

Today, he is considered one of the most sought-after visual artists globally. His work has been showcased in exhibitions across South Africa, the USA, France, Italy, the Netherlands, England, and Scotland.

As per Johannesburg commercial art gallery, Everard Read, Makamo strives to capture everyday people going about their ordinary lives as the contemporary world accelerates around them.

"Nelson Makamo's artwork speaks to changing the global mindset of what it means to be an African child. His portraits have strong emotions that every young African possess, from conviction to prowess and determination, you cannot help but resonate with every piece," states Makamo's website, adding:

"His mixed media style and a unique mark-making technique that breaks the scholarly rules is a very distinct signature."

Here's a collection of some of his most captivating artworks shared on Instagram this year: