The painting of South African artist Nelson Makamo is the cover of the latest issue of TIME optimists – MoreBranches

TIME magazine shared the cover of their latest issue. One of the two covers of the number presents an actress Cicely Tyson, and the second features a painting of the popular South African painter Nelson Makamo. The portrait, entitled Visions of a boundless future, was revealed Thursday by the magazine as part of the second "issue of optimists".

Makamo, is a 36-year-old Johannesburg artist born in Limpopo. His work has been presented in various parts of the world. The seasoned and award-winning artist told TIME Magazine that he had never produced magazine cover in his career.

It scared me because, even though I had been working for a long time, it looked like a beginning, "said Makamo, saying the painting would present his work to a new international audience.

Makamo said he knew he wanted a picture of a child for the cover because it's "something everyone can understand".

The current issue of TIME is one of many precedents on the theme of "Optimists" as it highlights 34 people who are changing our worldview. The issue is edited by filmmaker Ava DuVernay. She has been in contact with Makamo since 2017. Their relationship began when she bought a Makamo artwork at an auction. In December, she visited the Makamo studio and bought another one.