CONNECTED: The Ubuntu Series
In the series CONNECTED, Swiss-based artist Michelle Ringeisen investigates the complexities of identity and human interdependence through the lens of her South African heritage. The body of work serves as a visual manifestation of Ubuntu philosophy—the foundational belief that our humanity is inextricably bound to one another.
- Animal Metaphors: Ringeisen uses metaphorical animals to represent family, kinship, and our shared belonging to a global community.
- A Meaningful Homage: Her work is a tribute to the Ndebele women, recontextualizing their tradition of mural painting not merely as aesthetic adornment, but as a sophisticated historical tool of political and emotional resilience.
- Universal Geometry: By synthesizing Ndebele motifs with ancient and contemporary symbols from diverse cultures, the artist highlights the universal threads that transcend geographic boundaries.
- “The Vibe”: Through the rhythmic interplay of bold colours, distinctly partitioned by sharp black and white lines, Ringeisen creates a unique energy which she calls “The Vibe”. These contrasting borders act as a structural catalyst, generating the visual vibrancy and pulse that define the series—a metaphor for the dynamic boundaries and essential connections within human solidarity.
