There’s strength that exudes from a woman when she’s in her most vulnerable state. Something about resilience that translates into power. Stories of vulnerable experiences can sometimes evoke powerlessness, but it is empowering to have conversations about these experiences. Naledi Tshegofatso Modupi is a South African multidisciplinary artist primarily based in Johannesburg. Her work focuses on themes of femininity, vulnerability, culture, and identity, where her art conveys the multifacets of womanhood. Modupi works with different mediums including ceramic, illustration, painting, and photography to support storytelling by and for underrepresented individuals.

Her series 31 Faces 31 Voices conveys thirty-one women in portraits that embrace their stories, their personalities, and their beauty. Too often, the perspectives of Black women are overlooked or obscured, so Modupi creates an open space for expression and an outlet for their voices to be heard. The significance of her series enables conversations about Black representation and vulnerability. Modupi embodies the role of a protector; she helps to reclaim these women’s narratives, while challenging the narrative of vulnerability as a weakness. Rather than hyper-realism, her illustrations use colour and linear elements to accentuate individuality, and to express the confidence it inspires. Within these lines, their voices are heard, and their evolving identities take shape. 

The use of linear elements supports the natural beauty of each woman as Modupi contours their faces throughout her portraits. She outlines cheekbones, smile lines, eyelashes, full lips, and — most importantly — details of textured hairstyles. Accessories such as beads, earrings, and headwraps affirm a proud connection to African heritage and culture.

Some of her works evoke African decorative masks, using outlined facial features and colour blocking drawn from African landscapes and fabrics. From warm tones like red and orange to cool hues like blue and purple, the emotions of her characters seem to animate through the flowing colours that move across their faces and bodies.

I love to see black women freely expressing themselves, especially how Modupi visually communicates the complexities of womanhood and celebrates sisterhood. For example, some of her work depicts women with a vertical line descending from the pupil. The artwork stood out for me because it’s common for black women to feel like their tears are not seen, and their pain isn’t acknowledged. Modupi creates an atmosphere in her work where this vulnerability is not only permitted but purposefully licensed.