Renowned South African artist, Nelson Makamo, has applied his artistic talent to his very own Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.

When it comes to the rarified world of the internationally acclaimed “art car”, South Africa’s Esther Mahlangu has led the way through her work with BMW, initially with her Ndebele-inspired E34 5 Series. But now there’s a new name being applauded internationally, and he’s taken the bold step of applying his art to his own car, a Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.

Nelson Makamo is a world-renowned South African visual artist whose work has featured on the cover of TIME magazine, and who has successfully sold his works to various international celebrities and collectors. He recently took ownership of his 911 Carrera Coupe, and decided to create his most personal artwork yet…

For Makamo, taking delivery of his own 911 was a moment to savour. He was captivated by the iconic rear-engine sportscar while growing up in rural Modimolle, Limpopo in the ’80s, and has always dreamt of owning his own Porsche, one day. That day arrived recently when he ordered his own Jet Black Metallic 911 Carrera Coupe, and decided to set about personalising it into a moving canvas.

Makamo’s art brings life and colour to his Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe.

At his Johannesburg studio, Makamo painted a number of selected components and panels of the car, before returning them to Porsche Centre Johannesburg for final lacquer coating and fitting. These elements included the rear bumper, front seat mouldings, door panel inserts and handles, dash panel inserts, park brake console and side mirror covers. The left side door panel insert bears a personal inscription‘Mma’. These three letters mean ‘Mother’ in Makamo’s home language of Sepedi.

Makamo says the project, titled “My Life in Motion”, is not just a representation of his success, but also of various people he has encountered throughout his life: “I always knew I was going to own a Porsche, I just never knew that my relationship with the brand would start this way – and it’s only the beginning.”

Toby Venter, CEO of Porsche South Africa, says the project has provided great motivation: “Working with Nelson Makamo has been inspirational and this commission is on a level we’ve never seen before. This is a truly bespoke art installation worthy of any gallery. In addition, it illustrates the lengths Porsche South Africa will go to; the creativity and flexibility of our team to accommodate a request as personal as this. Porsche customers have a virtually endless array of options available through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur to make their Porsche completely individual, but then when a unique customer such as Nelson chooses to do something extraordinary, we are delighted to accommodate his wishes.”

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