Cole Ndelu describes her work as occupying the intersection between art, fashion, design, documentary, photography and spirituality.
She creates from an unapologetically black and unapologetically feminine place.
“I’m interested in making work that speaks and connects deeply – what role does art have in transforming lives, in unlocking minds who will unlock minds…? What role does art play in reminding people to pause and to take it all in? What role does art have in science, commerce, biology, sustainability, politics, etc, etc, etc? I’m interested in making work that asks the big questions, questions our way of Being and questions what we have normalised,” reads her artist statement.
Ndelu was part of Design Indaba’s Emerging Creatives Class in 2018.
She said: “At the heart of my practice is photography and the black community – I make work that celebrates, honours and champions black people. My work (and existence) is a counter narrative to the negativity and problematic representations of black people and Africa. I’m here to contribute positively to history and to the future, by making imagery that makes my kin feel seen, beautiful and possible.
“Currently I’m exploring the the themes of thought, time, memory, reality, vulnerability and self-care.”
See more of her work here.
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