More than just sports this week… art and culture in Atlanta.

Great to talk with Dr. Pecou!

Since 2002, Nando’s teamed up with the Spier Arts Trust in South Africa to catalyze and empower over 350 artists from our homeland. Together, we run a ton of exciting artist initiatives that honor our Southern African roots and make a lasting investment in their creative communities.

All our artist initiatives are made to fire up the creative lives of the Southern African artists we partner with and give our customers something one-of-a-kind to feast their eyes on! We’re trying hard to play a part in helping emerging creatives forge a lasting, stable career in the arts whilst giving their brilliant creations a global platform. So come to Nando’s, take in the view!

Atlantans won’t want to miss the chance to visit an exhibition curated from the Nando’s art collection, one of the largest, and most in-depth of Southern African contemporary masterworks. Curated by Laurie Ann Farrell, and in partnership with the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA), “If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future” has received strong critical acclaim.

Located in the Pittsburgh community, a historically Black Atlanta neighborhood, ADAMA is  an innovative museum  that amplifies the art and culture of the diaspora through  immersive experiences, cultivating shared learning, and facilitating meaningful points of connection.

Opening ahead of the third iteration of Atlanta Art Week on Friday, September 20th, the exhibition is open to the public at no cost and runs through Saturday, November 2nd.

“Securing a world-class collection from Nando’s is another testament to the mission of ADAMA of making art accessible and Atlanta’s position as a cultural capital,” said Dr. Fahamu Pecou, founder of ADAMA. “With this exhibition, the influence of the African diaspora will be felt through the quality and variety of artmaking from the best contemporary artists in the world.”

The selection of work is drawn from the collection’s strengths in portraiture, landscape, cityscapes and abstraction.

Several of the featured artists have received recent accolades.

Zanele Muholi is a ground-breaking Black queer photographer with a current survey on display at the Tate Modern in London.

Represented by the Stevenson Gallery in South Africa and David Zwirner in New York City and London, Portia Zvahera is a rising star that was recently featured at the 59th Venice Biennale.

Known for transforming drawings into sculpture, film and operas, William Kentridge has two works in the exhibition.

Profiled by CNN, Mbongeni Buthelizi known for his innovative work created from melted plastic is an artist activist who collects and repurposes litter into breathtaking portraits.

Artists Sam Nhlengethwa, Diane Victor, and Buthelizi, will be traveling to Atlanta from South Africa to participate in open-to-the-public conversations.

Curating an exhibition from a collection built over two decades was an idea that came to life from the late philanthropist and businessman, Dick Enthoven, who tapped his longtime friend Farrell to be the curator. One of the most important curators working to offer visibility to artists from Africa and the African Diaspora to the United States for more than 20 years; Farrell served as a curator of contemporary art at The Africa Center (formerly known as The Museum of African Art) in New York City, an executive director at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), and curator and head of modern and contemporary art at the Detroit Institute of Art. Farrell was also the lead curator on the Mercedes-Benz Stadium art collection while at SCAD.

Farrell was named curator of the year by D Magazine (2023) for the quality and scope of the exhibition at the African American Museum, Dallas.

“It’s quite meaningful to be able to curate an exhibit from such an exemplary collection and bring an impressive range of talent from the African continent to Atlanta,” said Farrell, “Our hope is that all who visit will experience the universal themes of humanity, love, loss and hope for a better future as illustrated by the artworks.”

Home to the legendary South-African flamed-grilled PERi-PERi chicken and PERi-PERi sauces, the first Nando’s location in Greater Atlanta recently opened in the Perimeter area within the High Street entertainment district. Later in the year, a 3,500-square-foot location will open at the Forum at Peachtree Corners.

“As a proudly African brand establishing itself in Atlanta, we consider the African Diaspora Museum of Atlanta to be the perfect canvas for world-class expressions of the modern Southern African lived experience,” said Sepanta Bagherpour, Chief Brand Officer of Nando’s North America.

If You Look Hard Enough, You Can See Our Future

Runs through November 2

African Diaspora Art Museum of

Thursday – Saturday: Noon – 5 p.m.

About the Nando’s Art Collection

Through the vision of the late South African businessman Dick Enthoven, Nando’s started collecting art in partnership with arts consultancy Spier Arts Trust in 2004 and has since become owner of one of the world’s largest collections of Southern African contemporary art and design. The collection is uniquely displayed in Nando’s restaurants globally, creating bespoke settings, providing access to millions of people, many of whom will never visit an art gallery, or museum. Visitors to Nando’s custom-designed restaurants also have the opportunity to see firsthand permanent artwork from the 27,000+ piece collection that is featured prominently at each location.

About African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA)

The  African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA) showcases the diversity, creativity and innovation of the African diaspora. Through immersive experiences, cultivating shared learning and facilitating meaningful points of contact, we amplify the diverse voices of our global community. We recognize the boundlessness of African diaspora cultural expression and invite audiences to discover why ‘Every Where We Go, There We Are’.

AJC article on Nando’s opening their first ATL restaurant:

https://www.ajc.com/food-and-dining/chicken-chain-nandos-entering-atlanta-market-with-two-planned-locations/IQCRUSQXYZGBHIGHOS5N265BOM/

Social handles for tagging/amplification:

Nando’s USA:  https://www.instagram.com/nandosusa/?hl=en

ADAMA:  https://www.instagram.com/adama_atl/?hl=en

Dr. Pecou:  https://www.instagram.com/fahamupecou/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/fahamupecou/?hl=en

Background on Dr. Pecou and connection to Nando’s/exhibition:  Dr. Fahamu Pecou, an acclaimed artist and scholar, is doing something transformative for Atlanta’s Black community through  the African Diaspora Art Museum of Atlanta (ADAMA). Located in the heart of the historically Black Pittsburgh neighborhood inside Pittsburgh Yards. ADAMA is more than a museum—it’s a beacon of culture, connection, and revitalization for the area.

Dr.  Pecou has had a storied art career that spans the globe, but his passion is right here at home, encouraging the community to embrace the rich culture and history of the diaspora.

Dr. Pecou was instrumental in bringing  Nando’s art collection  to ADAMA, which is now open and free to the public. The exhibition,  *If You Look Hard Enough,  You Can See Our Future*,  demonstrates the power of blending arts, culture, history, and business.