Sungi Mlengeya

(Hardback)

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The first monograph dedicated to the young African artist with an international career.

Born in 1991 in Dar es Salaam, Sungi Mlengeya captures the essence of Black womanhood in her haunting monochromatic acrylic portraits. The meticulously painted figures are set against a minimalist white background, creating a striking contrast that emphasizes skin texture and form. Her portraits, whether infused by movement or stillness, radiate both power and peace, offering the viewer intimate moments of strength and serenity.

In this first monograph dedicated to Sungi Mlengeya, the curator Tandazani Dhlakama brilliantly analyzes how African, Black and feminist conditions are intertwined in her work, and the intimate conversation between Sungi and her model, Jemima Michael, takes us behind the scenes of a work in the making.

Mlengeya's work has garnered international attention and is featured in prominent private and public collections and she was named one of Apollo's 40 Under 40 Africa in 2020, recognizing her as one of the most influential young figures in African art. In 2023, she was honoured as a resident at the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center, and she was also included in the inaugural Keep Walking: Africa Top 30 List.

Author Bio

Tandazani Dhlakama is curator at Zeitz MOCAA, South Africa.

Jemima Michael is a poet friend and model of the artist.