Gugulethu Ndlalani’s artistic journey is rooted in personal experience and cultural reflection, blending the vibrant essence of Soweto with a deep passion for unfiltered storytelling. With a creative process driven by observation, emotional depth, and resilience, the work invites audiences to connect with themes of struggle, beauty, and community through a raw and authentic lens.

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How has your upbringing or cultural heritage shaped the themes and techniques you explore in your art today?  

Growing up in the township of Soweto, I was exposed to a lot at a very young age, and I must say that has brought cultural significance in my life. Hence, every story I narrate has an aspect of what I had been exposed to. I used to analyze a lot in my upbringing—I would sit around for hours, quietly observing what people around me did, and I’m guessing it was a space for me to realize the beautiful dynamics of my township, which influenced the themes and techniques I use in my practice today. Soweto is not only a place to live in but a community to survive in. It has taught me a lot about myself and the people around me. I don’t think if I grew up elsewhere, I would have the same mentality and drive to do art. Without Soweto, I don’t think I would practice art.

What do you think is the most meaningful role an artist plays in society today?

Being authentic in the stories you narrate or the ideas you illustrate in your art. Most artists these days filter stories and provide perspectives of their own to the world, and I don’t see anything wrong with that. But I think with the misinformed stereotypes associated with certain countries—for example, I’m from South Africa, and our stories are often misinterpreted because of how the news portrays us and our history—we should be showing a fresh, unfiltered outlook on what happens in our countries. Raw stories that highlight the beauty of struggle, telling people’s stories in ways that allow the world to form new perspectives on these misinformed stereotypes.

Can you take us through the evolution of an artwork, from that first spark of inspiration to the finished piece?

Firstly, I think about an idea, and it can take me months just playing around with it in my mind, having sleepless nights figuring out how to develop it. Then, I build up enough courage to write it down in my notebook along with how I would like to illustrate it. Second comes the research, where I ask my family members what they think about the idea before even producing anything. Then my thoughts come into play again, influenced by something I saw or experienced in the past, which I channel into the production of the work. I also tend to look at my past work to follow the same style when creating.

Can art be truly therapeutic? Have you experienced its healing power personally, or seen it impact others?

Prior to my third production, Pain Through Belonging, my parents’ separation took a huge toll on my mother’s life. With the creation of this work, I wanted to bring healing to the situation. It was a love letter from myself to her—nothing more. I didn’t realize how important it was at the time, but the impact it had on her life was huge. It made her realize that she wasn’t alone in the struggle; she had us, and we would always be there for her no matter what. The production of this work took place in France, where I was doing a residency after winning the JR French Award Residency. During a small exhibit toward the end of my residency, I had an artist talk about the project, and at the end, a woman came up to me crying. She shared that she had gone through the same ordeal and appreciated how well I had illustrated the idea. She said it really spoke to her and helped her realize that she wasn’t alone in this experience and that other women weren’t afraid to speak out.

Has social media democratized art or diluted its value? How do you feel platforms like Instagram influence modern creativity?

It has democratized art, and I believe that’s both good and bad. Making art accessible to everyone is good for inspiration and exposure. The influence of Instagram on modern creativity is significant. Many people don’t have the luxury of visiting galleries to find inspiration, so platforms like Instagram serve as free educational spaces for emerging artists. They allow for the discovery of modern creativity, showcasing what we can learn and experience. I believe that’s a good thing, though the direction art takes through these platforms is up for discussion.

Name five pivotal lessons you’ve learned that shaped your artistic journey.

✧ Learn to take criticism, no matter how it makes you feel. There’s a thing I learned, that not everyone likes what you doing so take whatever criticism and make it work for you.

✧ Write everything down. As people we tend to forget so writing down something helps you to keep track of things mostly important stuff.

✧ Organising stuff. As an artist you should place things in order so if you want. something it’s easier to find because it’s in order.

✧ Use what you have. At times we tend to not have the proper equipment to finish a job or start it but might have a substitute, use that till you get that proper equipment.

✧ Time management. This one is important because it keeps one out of trouble and always prepared for whatever.

If you could live anywhere in the world to further inspire your creativity, where would it be?

Japan would be the place. The people, culture, landscape, fashion, food, and creativity make it one of the best countries in the world, in my opinion. They’re ahead of the curve in everything they do. Waking up in a place like Japan would inspire daily creativity. There’s no country like it. Its aesthetics are truly remarkable, and I hope they know that the world is watching.

What are your long-term aspirations as an artist, both personally and professionally?

One of my biggest goals is to open a creative hub in my hometown. We lack resources and establishments to nurture talent, and if I can make that happen, many people in Soweto would find sustainability. There’s so much talent here that goes unrecognized, and some individuals give up because they can’t find the right spaces or channels to showcase their creativity. Another aspiration is to host a solo exhibition featuring artists of my choosing. I would love to collaborate with as many artists from my hometown as possible and create something unique and impactful for the world.

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Through a commitment to authenticity and a vision of fostering artistic growth within Soweto, Gugulethu Ndlalani’s work aims to leave a lasting impact. The evolving practice continues to inspire dialogue, healing, and new narratives, offering a voice to stories that deserve to be heard.