Sungi Mlengeya

Sungi Mlengeya (born 1991) is a Tanzanian self-taught artist who paints minimalistic portraits, often depicting black women and negative space. Quotes It pierced my heart that someone who was un armed and helpless could be murdered in plain sight by the same people that were supposed to be protecting him People should contribute in whatever way they can from an individual level to stop racial injustices that still continue, racism cannot be tolerated, we should refuse to witness something like that again The singers should sing, the writers should write, the painters should paint We must continue to cement the importance of our rights as human beings until everyone understands that Black Lives Matter I fully blend in in Tanzania because I am around people who look like me, I do not experience any discrimination because of the color of my skin I cannot imagine having to fight for my rights just because I look different, having to fight for the same rights the rest of the community is privileged with. I have had the benefit of growing up in a community where that does not exist. Art is very powerful and I did not understand the extent of this until recently When I started painting it didn’t feel a lot like activism, it was natural for me to be inspired by and depict people that surround me in my community, people who are black The art world is very global now with the internet and social media, what I paint can be viewed by someone on another corner of the world, and this can be a person of color who feels underrepresented in their community I chose to leave the background white in my paintings because this creates a sense of calm, helps me capture the un-capturable ; our ever-changing wants, and the infinite freedom to pursue those wants There can be hope for change In conversation with Sungi Mlengeya n.d Other than the nationalist cheer during the Olympics, my need to support the underdogs in world cups and my temporary support for teams with people I like, I’ve never been particularly interested in competitive sports I am constantly driven by an innate need to create Dance is part of my personal life seeping through my work, a capturing of a joyous activity. With dance also comes freedom, taking up space, ownership of the body; themes that are synonymous with empowerment and autonomy in life The space is like the beginning of things, an exciting time when the possibilities and choices are endless A circle of loving women is something that I find myself going back to for celebration or comfort; they are a constant in my life. Women are the subjects I am most familiar with, as I am one and having been surrounded by them all my lifeIf anything has changed, I feel more grounded in my creative path, to keep doing what I love, pursuing my true intentions, however different they are The idea of painting myself is still scary. I think it could be quite an emotional, deeply reflective experience to have to critically observe and recreate a likeness of myself over several days Pioneer: Sungi Mlengeya 2 June 2023 I know how important it is to be close to people who share the same views as I do, or – more importantly – people who inspire me If people believe in a certain way of life religiously because that is what was passed on to them, without having any instinctive insights nor influence of a person who thinks differently and questions these practices, they will continue to practice that way of life without question and also pass it on to others – it is difficult to change For the longest time, black women have been associated with hardship and suffering. In my paintings, they rise above all this and become just themselves, giving them the focus that they deserve to be glorified for who they are. The white space becomes a place where these women can be their true and free selves without distraction. my paintings carry the same meaning, stronger now more than ever: which is to remain strong and optimistic and continue to work towards achieving our desired state – being able to get back to the everyday lives we chose. Although this freedom can only be achieved in the future, we are doing what we need to do today to achieve it tomorrow One of the things I’ve come to learn is that there are certain freedoms that have to be sacrificed in the short term so that they can be enjoyed more sustainably in the long term The 1-54 interview series in partnership with Artskop3437: Sungi Mlengeya n.d I’m open to my work resonating with people in varied ways; it does so for me as well, at different times A moment in dance can be blissful and freeing—one can lose themselves and simply be I feel drawn to commemorate my existence and the existence of the important women in my life—those who have brought me great joy and comfort and have played a significant role in my story. The women in my paintings—whether friends, family, or acquaintances—represent these people and moments, either realistically or symbolically. There’s something about movement that embodies a full existence. There’s something about movement that embodies a full existence. A dancer takes up space, commands their body, and moves effortlessly, fully present in the moment—unconcerned with the next step or the gaze of onlookers. I wanted to celebrate this kind of existence—one of autonomy, freedom, and sometimes carefreeness—because it resonated with me Sungi MLENGEYA presents Tides of Being, a captivating new chapter n.d There is a risk in trying something new. You can experiment in private, but there is still so much you need to deliver. Your time for experimentation becomes limited, even though it is essential When I began exploring dance, I realised that most of the choices I make in my personal life are guided by the question, “What do I enjoy?” rather than “What am I supposed to be doing?” CYSK #27: Sungi Mlengeya 16 November 2025 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 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 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 al Elsa Åkesson in Conversation with Artist, Sungi Mlengeya 17 August 2026 Where I’m from, it’s difficult for a woman to go about her day, doing the same thing as a man, without having a hard time “I’m inspired by those women who rebel and do what they want, and I want to capture that strength for those who don’t feel they can or who are afraid. I want them to know that they can be these women, that they are these women I want to show the importance of support, friendship, solidarity, unity, and the way those things make each journey so much easier Painting Women into a Limitless Space | In the Studio with Sungi Mlengeya 4 March 2021 External links Category:1991 births Category:Artists from Tanzania Category:Women artists Category:Women from Tanzania Category:Women born in the 1990s Category:Living people