Exploring Identity Through Art: A Journey with Mafalda Vasconcelos

As we delve into the vibrant world of Mafalda Vasconcelos' artwork, we embark on a journey that transcends borders and cultural boundaries. Mafalda's identity serves as both a source of inspiration and a catalyst for her artistic expression. Mafalda's artistic journey is deeply intertwined with her experiences of duality and dichotomy. She draws upon her Mozambican roots  to create a visual narrative that celebrates the complexities of identity and belonging.

At the heart of Mafalda's art lies a profound spirituality—a connection to her essence and creative energy. Through stylized figures and symbolic motifs, she invites us to explore the depths of the human soul and the divine feminine that permeates her work. As Mafalda navigates life in Melbourne, her multicultural lens continues to shape her artistic perspective. Drawing inspiration from both her ancestral homeland and her current surroundings, she weaves elements of African art with contemporary aesthetics to create a truly unique visual language.

In a world filled with chaos and uncertainty, Mafalda's art offers a beacon of hope—a reminder of the beauty that lies in embracing our differences and celebrating the richness of human experience. Through her work, she invites us to embark on a journey of self-discovery and interconnectedness—a journey that transcends borders and unites us in our shared humanity.

1.Your artwork is deeply influenced by your biracial identity and cultural background. Can you share with us how your experiences growing up in South Africa and Mozambique have shaped your artistic journey? 

The older I get, the less I like the term biracial as I feel that it only contributes to our current issues of racism. I come from opposing cultures and ethnic backgrounds, this gives me a broader understanding of the world and a different way to relate to things, almost as an observer. South Africa is my country of birth, only. I lived there for very little time when I went to boarding school, but my parents have many interesting stories of going there as tourists. Their relationship was considered a crime in 1993, due to apartheid. I am not South African, I am Mozambican, my mom is Mozambican, and my dad has lived here most of his life, as did I. Mozambique is a melting pot of many different cultures and ethnicities and despite social issues, there is a respect for these differences here. That is what I want my art to reflect.

2.Your art explores themes of contrast and opposition, such as black and white, vibrant colors, and the fusion of different cultural elements. How do you use these contrasts to convey deeper meanings in your work? 

My life is about dichotomies, there is always a duality in everything and that is what forms my identity. Consequently, I wanted my work to reflect this visually, I believe that duality makes things more interesting. 

3.Can you tell us more about the symbolism and spiritualism present in your art? How do you incorporate these elements into your artistic process? 

The spiritualism in my work is very personal to me, it is a way to connect to my essence, my creative energy. Painting is like prayer and meditation in that sense. The symbolism is very abstract and authentic to that moment in time and will create different meanings for the work. I paint portraits, symbolism is how I make these portraits distinct from one another. Symbolism is how we express ourselves physically, I see that in the women I paint.

4.Your artwork often features stylized figures that represent souls or spirits, particularly those of the women who have raised you. What significance do these female figures hold for you, both personally and artistically? 

I come from a matriarchal culture and family, the mother is the soul of the house and that is the premise of this concept. The women in the work represent the soul of the house, either the divine feminine in each person or the actual female figure in our lives. Becoming a mother has also helped me connect to this in a more meaningful way, not in the sense of spirits but in the sense of feminine energy, or even the energy of someone that is a life nurturer. 

5. Living in Melbourne now, how has your multicultural lens influenced your artistic perspective and themes? Do you find yourself drawing inspiration from your current surroundings as well? 

Living in Melbourne has made me more certain of my identity and being very proud of where I am from. It has made me connect even deeper with my background while also making me aware of my privileges. My inspirations still come from back home though, from the most raw and truthful parts of my soul. 

6. Your artistic style has been described as contemporary with elements of African art. Can you elaborate on how you blend these influences to create a unique aesthetic in your work? 

The inspiration I find in African Art comes in colour, patterns, and silhouettes. Also, in the spiritual nature of the work itself. I blend these in a way that feels intuitive, and I try to do it in an authentic way. Ultimately, I want these elements to be the connection between past and present, between different cultures and I want people from the diaspora to also feel connected to my work through this.

7.As an artist, are there particular social issues that you are passionate about addressing through your work? How do you integrate these issues into your artistic expression and advocacy? 

Throughout the years, my work has changed a bit. The main issue that I address now is the richness of the differences in our cultures and ethnic backgrounds in Mozambique, and how that only makes us stronger as a society. Usually, these differences are also adorned by a piece of fashion that reflect on tradition of modern life and the similarities in cultures. That is the main premise, but I find inspiration from the same place, which is the feminine figures in my life. I paint women that come from different backgrounds culturally, no matter their social-economic circumstances. 

8. How does your art engage with social issues, and what role do you see it playing in raising awareness and driving conversations about important topics?

I find that we live in a very charged world, charged with social issues, division, opinions, chatter, etc… not just this but we are always being bombarded with information, good and bad. As much as I want my work to bring people to have difficult conversations about social issues and race, I also want my work to feel like a breath of fresh air, to feel light and to bring a sense of beauty in this chaotic world we live in. I hope my work brings connectedness and hope of a more compassionate society whilst making people question their identity, just as I do mine.