Biography

Based in Switzerland, Michelle Ringeisen explores the complexities of identity and human connection through her South African heritage.

Her work is deeply informed by the Ubuntu philosophy—the belief that our humanity is realized through our relationships with others and the environment.

In her series CONNECTED, Ringeisen uses metaphorical animals to represent kinship and our shared belonging to a global community.

The series serves as a deliberate homage to the Ndebele people; she draws inspiration not only from their aesthetic but from their historically significant use of mural art as a tool of political and emotional resilience.

Recognizing a universal resonance in these motifs, Ringeisen synthesizes Ndebele patterns with geometric shapes and symbols found in ancient and contemporary cultures worldwide.

Her technique—marked by vibrant colours and a rhythmic interplay of black and white—captures a distinct energy she defines as “The Vibe.” This visual pulse investigates the binding rituals and materials that sustain human connection, framing reciprocal respect as a vital, vibrant necessity.

This contemplative approach has led to various placements within the regional community and corporate spaces. The work Ndebele Advancine is held by MSD Switzerland in Lucerne, while the piece No Place for Circles provides a quiet backdrop for the lounge at Hospiz Oberwallis HOPE, Ried-Brig.
Her engagement with public accessibility is further reflected on the reLAX Trail in a double-sided installation; originally an acrylic painting, the work was translated into back-to-back aluminium prints to allow for all-around visibility within the landscape.

Statement

Painting is my form of contemplation—a private mapping of the threads that hold our world together and my position within that tapestry. I explore the binding elements of diverse cultures, seeking a visual language for the reciprocal respect that reveals our belonging to the collective.

My search for these binding elements takes form through two parallel series, balancing vibrant abstraction with representational layering.

In the Connected series, vibrant expression serves as a rhythmic pulse for deeper understanding. These works prioritize kinetic energy and rhythmic cohesion to illustrate the active, vital nature of human threads. By focusing on the invisible energy of reciprocal respect, this series maps the internal currents that sustain our sense of collective belonging.

In the Matriarchs series, representational imagery —predominantly featuring elephants — serves as a meditation on heritage and belonging. By layering translucent tissue paper as a symbolic skin, I explore how identity is constructed through ancestral memory and the protective structures of the collective. These works map the invisible threads of maternal care and lineage, recognizing the quiet strength that sustains our place within a shared history.”

Press:

SRF (Swiss Radio and Television Corporation)

“Was ist Heimat? MäntigApéro in Brig geht dieser Frage nach”
Moderation: Ruth Seeholzer, Redaktion: Christian Liechti
SRF Regionaljournal, Was ist Heimat? MäntigApéro, Nov 2025.
In a live conversation at ZeughausKultur Brig, the artist discusses the “Matriarchs” and “Connected” series, exploring a “connected world” philosophy and the global sense of belonging. The interview includes a deep dive into her homage to Ndebele art and how traditional heritage informs contemporary identity.

Listen to the full interview

Schweizer Illustrierte (National Swiss Magazine)

Art Feature: Ndebele Advancine, 10 March 2023.
A featured photograph of the work “Ndebele Advancine” highlighting the artist’s homage to the cultural heritage and aesthetic of Ndebele women from South Africa.

View Page scan

Nau.ch (Swiss Online News Portal

Community Project: Ndebele Advancine, 09.02.2023.
Feature on the collaborative project between the artist and the children of Lax. The students developed visual symbols for equality, which were then integrated by the artist into the final Ndebele Advancine work.

Read the full report on Nau.ch