Mlengeya was born in Dar es Salaam and raised in Serengeti National Park, where her parents worked as veterinarians. Growing up, the self-taught artist took an interest in arts and crafts and developed a passion for drawing in primary school, where she became one of the top students in her art class. 

After graduating with a bachelor's degree in commerce and finance in 2013, Sungi Mlengeya worked in banking before leaving her job in 2018 to fully focus on her art. Mlengeya's smooth transition from a career in finance to making impactful art in both her home country of Tanzania and abroad is a culmination of her rebellious spirit and determination. Speaking to AMAKA, she says, "I worked for four years after university, and I just kept wishing I was doing art." On her early experiences as an emerging artist, she reveals how she prioritised her future over her present: “I made sure I paid for my website even though I was struggling with my rent." This active approach to her vision paid off when she made the 40 under 40 Africa Artist list by Apollo Magazine last year.

Known for her striking portraits of women, rendered in dark shades against a crisp white background, Mlengeya has exhibited her work at various art fairs and spaces, including 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair London, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, and Nairobi Railway Museum.

Now based in Kampala, Uganda, AMAKA caught up with the artist to chat about her journey, searching for freedom and finding inspiration in everyday women.  

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You were born and raised in Dar es Salaam. When did you move to Uganda? What inspired that move?

I was born in Dar es Salaam and raised there for a few years, but Arusha is my hometown now. That's where my family is. I started painting in Arusha [which] is a small town in North Tanzania.

I exhibited my works there, but after a while, I felt like I had exhausted what it had to offer, so I decided to travel around East Africa to look for opportunities. I reached out to different galleries and stakeholders in the art industry, and in May 2019, Afriart invited me to a workshop in Kampala, Uganda. I decided to go to Uganda for the workshop, and they liked my work, and that's how we started working together.

How is the art scene in Uganda different from Tanzania?

It's bigger [in Uganda]. In Tanzania, it's still growing. There aren't any big galleries to showcase artists on international platforms like art fairs. I think Nairobi has the most vibrant art scene in East Africa, followed by Kampala.

Where do you get your love for art?

After Dar es Salaam, my parents moved to Serengeti [National Park] when I was around five years old. We couldn't watch TV most of the time, so we had to [find creative ways] to keep busy. Our options were playing and making arts and crafts.

In primary school, I liked to draw, and I was one of the best students in art class. I always knew that I loved art and that somehow I would ultimately end up an artist. 

How did growing up around wildlife in this kind of serene environment influence the artist you are today?

My imagination was influenced. I got used to the silence, and even now, I treasure quiet time. As a child, I would get lost in my thoughts and entertain myself in my head.

You've said that your paintings are inspired by rebellious women who challenge traditional conventions. Do you consider yourself a rebel?

Yes - but I have this weird thing about painting myself. I find it very uncomfortable. I'm yet to do it.

What makes you fearful of painting yourself?

I have no idea. I think it involves a lot of reflection and digging deep.

Do you ever feel pressured as an artist exploring universal social issues that affect women?

Sometimes I do. I feel pressured and scared [about whether] I will be able to change things. On some level, I feel fulfilled that I'm making an impact. It's a privilege to be able to speak to the world through my work and influence people, but sometimes I question my ability to be more active and speak out.

What issues are you hoping to challenge and change with your work?

[I want to change] My immediate community and [challenge] the gender inequality in East Africa. I want people to see that it's not right. I experience [gender inequality] every day when I step out of my house. Even though I'm scared sometimes, I'm slowly starting to gain more confidence.

Doing small things like posting about a book that is inspiring is an act of [activism]. Activism [doesn't] always have to be about going on stage and giving a speech; it can start with the little things.

What's your creative process?

It's organic, ideas just come. I work with models, so when I know the poses that I want them to be in, I photograph them and work from the photographs.

How would you describe your paintings in three words?

Free, calm and bold.

Which artists do you admire?

[British painter and writer] Lynette Yiadom-Boakye and [Brazilian artist] Antonio Obá's work makes me nostalgic. 

Jason Seife (an American artist) does a lot of geometry stuff, and his work touches me somehow. They all inspire me to do my best.

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Are there any lessons that you learned in finance that you're using now as an artist?

Not to get broke. When I [first] got into art, I was very broke, so one of the promises I made to myself was that I don't want to [be like] that again. 

The last two year years since your debut have been a fast-moving journey. How have you coped with the success and attention?

I was nervous [about] going to the first art fair, but it was a success. At some point, I started feeling numb. It was like running a marathon.

Have you experienced any challenges in your career so far?

I think most of the challenges are when you're starting and deciding to be an artist. There's a reporter who once asked me why I was doing art when I'm so pretty. I think it's not expected to be female and be an artist.

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

I haven't thought about that for a while. So much has happened in the last two years, and I have achieved most of the goals I [set out in the beginning]. I've given myself time to live in the moment. I'm [only now] beginning to think of the next chapter; I haven't figured it out yet.

What advice would you give to someone interested in following a career as an artist?

I think people should stop focusing on the challenges. I took advantage of Instagram and social media. Before I started working with Afriart, I promised [...] to reach out to any art-related institution. There's so much that we can do.

Visit Sungi Mlengeya's website and Afriart Gallery, where her works are exhbitied.