Naledi Tshegofatso Modupi is a multi-dimensional visual artist known for her versatility and her ability to seamlessly maneuver between digital art territories and traditional art mediums. She was born in 1999 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Art has long been a tool for self-expression, used to communicate emotions and ideas that cannot be conveyed through words alone. For artist Modupi, her work is heavily inspired by the beauty of blackness and characteristics associated with women. Through it she celebrates women’s unique and empowering stories and aims to inspire confidence and awaken hope in those who are able to find their reflections in her pieces, just as she sees her work as a reflection of the faces surrounding her. Growing up, Modupi wasn’t exposed to many forms of art that reflected her own identity. This led her on a journey to not only create art that represented herself and her community, but also to share it with the world in the hopes of sparking meaningful conversations and connections. Her work speaks to the shared experience of being a black woman, while also celebrating the individual strengths and stories that make each one of us unique. In a time where we are often bombarded with negative messages about blackness, Modupi’s art is a much-needed breath of fresh air that encourages us to see the beauty and power in ourselves.

Her vibrant and expressive portraits are consistent in the use of bold colors highlighting eyelids, cheekbones, chins, or ears while continuous lines define each face distinctly. In addition to portraiture, Modupi experiments with other genres such as still life and abstractions using a variety of mediums including oil paint, acrylics, charcoal, ink, and even digital art. No matter the medium or genre, Modupi’s work is characterized by its strong use of color and line. Her work has been featured in numerous group exhibitions across South Africa and she is quickly gaining recognition as a young emerging artist in the country. She was included in the G20 exhibition “Constellations: Global Reflections”.