"In our restaurant design we have always focused on using stylish, natural and authentic materials and drawing inspiration from our African and Portuguese roots. We wanted to create a feeling about Nando's that is different as far as restaurant groups are concerned, a uniqueness which is part product and part an intangible emotional reaction to the brand. So the idea for a Nando's art collection was born."
The inspiration for the art collection came from a desire to use the African heritage of Nando's UK to introduce the British public to works of art which they would otherwise never see and the diversity of the restaurants allowed the group to select artists from eclectic backgrounds and of very different styles.
Nando's UK art curator is Capetonian Jeannetta Blignault who believes that the strength of the collection lies in the fact that Nando's UK has given their total commitment to the support of emerging African artists: "Through their more than 100 stores in the UK and Wales, Nando's UK wanted to provide a first-time international platform for young South African artists and their work.
"I was briefed to dig deep and to search for new and extraordinary talent from far and wide and across the African continent who could be given this exciting opportunity to exhibit internationally for the first time in their career. The value of Nando's support of the arts lies not only in the past four years, but also in the building of the collection into the indefinite future."
Enthoven believes that the artworks have become strong features of the Nando's UK restaurants and that they contribute to the positive image customers and staff have of the restaurants: "Nando's loves the fact that the art is different, like our restaurants - no one is the same, they all have a sense of individuality and uniqueness, something which is at the very heart of the brand."
According to Nando's South Africa managing director, Kevin Utian, a similar scenario exists in South Africa: "Nando's SA have always believed in supporting the communities that support us and we have also launched an arts initiative to develop and inspire people in South Africa by creating job opportunities through an initiative which is truly African."
