Elsa Åkesson in Conversation with Artist, Sungi Mlengeya

Sungi Mlengeya is a Tanzanian artist specialising in acrylic painting. She explores space through her minimalist and monochromatic works, by delving in subjects such as self-discovery and female empowerment. Her works have gained international recognition through art fairs such as 1-54 and have been acclaimed by ’Apollo 40 under 40 Africa’.  

MADE IN BED’s Editor-In-Chief, Elsa Åkesson speaks to Sungi about her practice, her different inspirations in art and her recommendations to the younger generation looking to build a career out of their passion for art.  

Sungi Mlengeya.

EÅ: How did the idea of turning your passion for art into a career come about? 

SM: I always knew that art was what I would settle for eventually despite trying out other career fields, so I dived right into it when I knew I could no longer survive another day doing something else. I always felt I belonged with art even though I had no formal training, it was like a calling - an obligation that I needed to fulfil. I just started painting and sharing my work, I had no concrete plan set out to begin with. 

EÅ: Could you tell us where and how you learned to paint? 

SM: I made my first painting after Secondary school with guidance of some artists, I would even say they did most of the painting themselves. I started painting in the last months before leaving my job with the help of techniques I learned from the internet. Alone at home I just allowed myself to explore ways of creating art, one step after another, again and again. I’ve been painting ever since; practice, patience and time have been good teachers. 

Four Friends, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 140 x 200 cm.

EÅ: Is there a particular reason for the choice of monochrome tones in your works?  

SM: It is part of my minimalist, simple but [simultaneously] bold personality sipping into my work. I stumbled into the ‘black and white’ when I was looking for the perfect background for a painting and decided to work on my subject first. Afterwards, I thought of how the empty background complemented the figures perfectly, therefor decided not to add anything else to it. I continue the use of monochrome tones in my works as it allows me to concentrate on my subjects, yet, has a perfect looking background reminding us of infinite spaces, freedom, calmness and space for our changing thoughts to fill. 

Kyomu, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 86 x 60 cm.

EÅ: Could you tell us what the inspiration behind your works is? 

SM: I’ve always been drawn to painting women. I am also passionate about matters related to gender equality after years of observing the unjust treatment women in my community and what they go through - treatment that is silently accepted by the majority. With time I am learning to link my art with these issues that I am passionate about. I am inspired by women who are not silent. I want to explore and express the strength and power they possess. 

Unclench, 2020, acrylic on canvas, 140 x 200 cm.

EÅ: What is your preferred medium and why? 

SM: I use acrylic on canvas. The first artists I looked up used this medium, so it was a natural choice for me to follow the same path. I am also very sensitive to smells so mediums like oils are not an option. 

EÅ: Do you have a preference on scale, when creating works, if so, what scale do you prefer working on and why? 

SM: I prefer big canvases, about 150 x 140 cm or bigger. I like to work with life size images and bigger canvases give room for this.  

Dance, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 150 x 140 cm.

EÅ: Has your creativity increased during the pandemic? What have you been working on? 

SM: I don’t think the pandemic has had any effect on my creativity, at least non that I am consciously aware of. My creating routine is still the same as before the pandemic. I was working on my first solo show that is currently on view at Afriart Gallery in Kampala and I have just begun making works for another show happening at the end of this year. 

EÅ: It is very difficult for early-career artists in the African continent to make it to the international art scene. What would be your advice to them? 

SM: I would say take advantage of the digital era, the world is so interconnected right now and geographical boundaries are not an excuse to stay invisible. Dare to dream - it is free, and believe in those dreams. Start from where you are and give it your all. 

Contemplation, 2021, acrylic on canvas, 140 x 200 cm.

EÅ: What would you say is your next goal in your art career? 

SM: I want to share my work with as many people as possible. 

Thank you very much, Sungi! 

Image courtesy of Sungi Mlengeya. 

To discover more about Sungi’s work please visit her website and Instagram. 

Elsa Åkesson, 

Editor-in-Chief, MADE IN BED