CINTHIA SIFA MULANGA: 2021

Cinthia, could you describe your practice in 3 words? 

My practice is Expressive, Reflective and stunning. 

What is your artist story so far? How did you get to where you are now Cinthia? 

Well my artist story is that I basically followed my brother and mother’s footsteps that being art and fashion, though my mom dibble and dabble in many things from corporate to beauty.  I have always been inspired by my surroundings especially my family and during learning more about the history of art and working with different mediums at The little artist school project ,I learnt how to trust myself, that is how I was able to challenge and surprise myself this includes working in different projects at Artist Proof studio where learnt a whole lot especially on not being comfortable with being comfortable, to always think and do more. 

How do you structure your day as an artist?

I have always wondered how to answer this question, not so simple for me, do I separate the Artist from Cinthia or they are the same ? Because this informs how I structure my day in general. If my goal is to paint thats how I will plan , from the compositional ideas to colour palette and more importantly what the women in the painting would look like. When I am not about to paint for the day I just relax , family or some me time, watch movies, documentaries while of course thinking about my next painting. 

If you could have a meal with any artist from any time, who would the artist be, what would you eat together and why?

Have you had any memorable responses to your work?

Yes, one of the artists I love Said “the detail in her work is compelling, from her colour to her subject. I love that her work is filled with all kinds of black women. Her work makes me feel seen in a world where black women are constantly being erased and or forced in definitions they did not create” this meant a lot to me 

What themes do you pursue in your works Cinthia? 

Beauty, misconceptions, perceptions, change, spaces , standards 

Could you select a piece of your work and tell me about it? 

Masculine Traits III - Part of the MASCULINE TRAITS series that is about the black woman occupying typically male-dominated spaces, positions and status. Since inequality has led the black women over the years to compete with men in different industries, when they dare to elevate themselves they are labelled as arrogant, ambitious, too successful, too bold, intimidating as if that is a bad thing. This space is filled with typically masculine objects however are not just for man, such as cars, whiskey, prestigious artworks, awards, the signs of being a business and property owner, exotic magazines on the table, a distinctly masculine aesthetic of leather like browns in the furniture. The women in this space challenge these ideologies and  constructs, as they are soft, affirmative, nurturing, warm, daring and ever-changing. Their ambition or goals does not box them to a certain of women. 

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IS INTEGRAL TO THE WORK OF AN ARTIST?

No limitations to the ideas or possibilities 

There is nothing more than the feeling of being able to think and do far away from the box instead of just outside of it. No limit to the expression  

WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY WORKING ON? 

Currently working on paintings for the Cape Town art fair 2022 and something I have loved to do just never knew where to start is making works for more silk wearable art with Latitudes in Collaboration with Lisa Jaffe owner of Guillotine store. 

WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS?

WHAT ONE SONG SHOULD BE ADDED TO THE SHE CURATES PLAYLIST?

Va dire à ton ex by Dadju