Digital Healing and Radical Self-Acceptance (Puleng Mongale)

This week, Shades and Layers is proud to present the story of Digital Collage Artist, Puleng Mongale.

Puleng grew up in the cultural melting pot of Soweto township. Her young years there are filled with joy, but they have also been a source of pain and a feeling of displacement. While Soweto is a cultural melting pot, it is also a place where South Africa's cultural and language groups compete for superiority on an imaginary cultural totem.

In our conversation we discuss dealing with displacement, radical self-acceptance, using art as a tool for healing.

Puleng has always had a passion for the arts (especially writing and fashion) and started out as a copy writer at an advertising agency. During this period, she was also sharpening her skills as a creative director and exploring photography.  After being laid off at the start of the Covid pandemic, she bought herself a camera, learned to use it and never looked back. In our conversation, we discuss her various projects, putting a monetary value on her work and also how to approach life with curiosity.

I hope you'll enjoy this amazing conversation and will be inspired to follow your own authentic journey into the things that you're passionate about.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Latitudes - Online Art platform that represents Puleng and many other cutting edge contemporary artists from the African continent.

Seshoeshoe (Seshweshwe) - Cotton fabric named after the Basotho King Moshoeshoe and originally bearing designs inspired by traditional murals in Lesotho. Today it is a fashion staple at traditional weddings across South Africa and can be seen at other formal occasions as well as everyday fashion. 

Jake - Famous and iconic public swimming pool in Orlando West area of Soweto. The link goes to a photograph captured by South African photographer Jodi Beiber. 

Badimo - A SeSotho word meaning ancestors or spirits.