DeLeón Tequila celebrates Nelson Makamo’s first solo US exhibition BLUE in Los Angeles

On October 6, 2021, globally recognized and collected artist Nelson Makamo opened the doors to his first solo US exhibition titled ‘BLUE.’

The exhibition brings 44 of Makamo’s works stateside, making this impressive new body of work the largest collection he has ever showcased.

The artwork explores the emotive range of the color – blue summons an age of recognition, transition, and development; it is overflowing with opportunities because it is undoubtedly of a feminine resolve.

To celebrate the opening weekend of Nelson’s first solo US exhibition, DeLeón Tequila showed up in an unpredictable fashion, with a private dinner of VIP guests who received a first look at the collection. The spirited evening included dinner by Pan-African soul food chef Solomon Johnson, music by Poison Ivy, portraits with photographer Raven B and incredible DeLeón Tequila art-inspired cocktails.

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Ingrid Best, Danielle Cole

Guests included actress & comedian Tiffany Haddish, musician BJ the Chicago Kid, contemporary artist Ferrari Sheppard, artist Knowledge Bennet, international pop-star Maya Sho’Madjozi, and more who toasted to Nelson with head-turning signature cocktails including the Paloma Azul, a re-imagination for the classic tequila cocktail created with both the color and flavor palette of Nelson Makamo, including a custom, edible cobalt blue paint the same hue as many of Nelson’s artworks.

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Each guest was gifted with a 1/50 collector’s item from Nelson & DeLeón Tequila that housed a customized ‘BLUE EARRING’ print from Nelson, a bottle of DeLeón Añejo, and a set of Baccarat glassware.

The spirited evening included a performance, coursed dinner, and DeLeón Tequila art-inspired cocktails that embodied the creative inspiration behind BLUE through the show’s color palette and Makamo’s favorite flavors.

“DeLeón Tequila recognizes and supports the artistry and craftsmanship of cultural architects like Nelson,”

says Ingrid Best, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Marketing, Spirits, Combs Enterprises.

“When I heard about his US exhibition, I knew we had to support this history-making moment in a real way. DeLeón is honored to join Nelson as he continues to capture the world with his talent. And we look forward to celebrating other artists, like Nelson, who break boundaries with their art.”

DeLeón Tequila served art-inspired cocktails during the opening weekend of Nelson’s exhibition

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· DeLeón Blanco Paloma Azul

· DeLeón Reposado Gotta Have He(art)

· DeLeón Añejo Pop Art

‘BLUE’ will be in residency through November 20 at 1242 Palmetto Street in Los Angeles, California. Please email [email protected] to make an appointment.

NELSON MAKAMO| b. 1982 Modimolle, Limpopo

Johannesburg based Artist Nelson Makamo is best known for his charcoal and oil paintings that redresses decades of images that have portrayed African children in destitute. Makamo’s career spans sixteen years. Based in Johannesburg, he has managed to solidify an iconic signature and a subject matter that has steadily placed him on a global stage, making him one of the worlds young and most sought-after visual artists of our times. Makamo has exhibited in South Africa, USA, France, Italy, the Netherlands, England, Scotland, and Finland. His work is featured in prestigious public and private collections. 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. Makamo’s famous portraiture can capture these strong emotions which draw you inward. His mix media style, and a unique mark-making technique that breaks the scholarly rules is a very distinct signature.

DELEÓN TEQUILA

DeLeón^®Tequila is made from our finest 100% Blue Weber agave and sourced from the rich earth of the Los Altos region of Jalisco, the agave is hand-selected for ripeness before harvesting and yields sweet piñas to achieve the unrivaled smoothness of DeLeón Tequila.

DeLeón Tequila was initially created in the Guanajuato region, home to the town of Leon and the town of Purisima del Rincon. The DeLeón Tequila brand launched in 2009 to an elite following in Hollywood and the U.S. music industry. Purchased in 2014 by a joint venture between business mogul and international icon Sea n“Diddy” Combs and Diageo North America, Inc., part of DIAGEO – the world’s largest spirits and beer company, DeLeón Tequila defies conventions to establish a new standard of luxury in tequila. Perfected through a blend of traditional and innovative tequila-making processes DELEÓN^® Tequila curates exquisite smoothness and abundant character.

COMBS SPIRITS

Combs Spirits (CS) is a privately owned, premium spirits company created by Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2013. The company co-owns DeLeón Tequila and is responsible for all strategic marketing for CÎROC Ultra-Premium Vodka, both in partnership with Diageo. CS is focused on delivering high impact growth driven product development strategies that promote a healthy business structure while highlighting social responsibility – and has become known for its bold business moves, energetic marketing, and history-making success.