Lerato Nkosi
Nkosi is particularly drawn to how the interplay between conscious and unconscious dynamics shapes a woman’s self-perception and identity. She works with metaphorically charged materials such as ink and stamps, which she uses to create grisaille textures and images. For Nkosi, these materials act as conscious, organic elements — agents of change that both taint and authenticate the surfaces they touch. Like the teachings of parents imprinted on a child, ink and stamps leave a permanent mark, shaping one’s identity in ways that are lasting and deeply embedded.
A: Unspoken codes, in my practice, are subconscious ideologies that shape behavior without our active awareness. These include societal expectations around gender, appearance, and self-presentation—especially for women, who face intensified scrutiny and pressure to conform. Such codes create an external “mask” shaped by others’ perceptions, often at odds with one’s internal self. Cultural traditions, parental teachings, and systemic structures imprint these norms deeply, like ink on an untouched surface. Navigating them creates tension between conforming for acceptance and preserving authenticity, often leading to a fragile ego tied to external validation. These invisible forces distort self-perception, making it harder to access the authentic self. Recognizing these codes is key to understanding how identity—particularly female identity—is formed and obscured by societal norms.
Q: How does your practice, or this particular work, engage with or respond to these codes?
A: Commencement, the work I created for this exhibition, uses metaphoric materials—water, ink, and stamps—to explore the tension between the conscious and unconscious self. Water represents the fluid, emotional depths of the unconscious; ink signifies the lasting marks of social conditioning; and stamps stand in for authority and the societal need for validation. The stamped text, drawn from How I Grew by Mary McCarthy, underscores how identity is shaped—often distorted—by external forces. Through this process of mark-making and fluid contamination, the work confronts the layered, fragmented identities women carry. It critiques the weight of unspoken codes and opens space for reflecting on authenticity, gender, and self-realization.
Q: How do you navigate the balance between individuality and collective life — finding and standing by your own voice while also being connected to and supported by others?
A: Balancing individuality and collective life is a daily act of distinguishing my true self from the version shaped by external approval and unspoken codes—especially within the context of women’s identities. Reflection helps me recognize the “me” formed by societal pressures versus the deeper, often obscured self. This personal process takes courage, but it also connects to a broader, shared experience. My work reflects the common tensions women face around identity and validation, offering not isolation but resonance. By revealing these dynamics, I find strength in solidarity—knowing my voice emerges not alone, but within a community that shares these struggles. My art becomes a space for dialogue between self and society, inviting both authenticity and collective empathy.
Q: What has your path as an artist revealed to you about resilience, belonging, or empowerment in your own life?
A: My path has shown me that resilience comes from confronting the shadows of the unconscious—the fragmented, distorted reflections that often fuel self-doubt. Rather than avoiding these inner tensions, I’ve found strength in exploring them through my materials, which mirror both emotional fluidity and the lasting marks of social conditioning. Belonging, for me, emerges from recognizing how personal identity is shaped by external forces, and finding solidarity in the shared female experience behind those projections. Empowerment lies in reclaiming the self from societal “stamps” and embracing both the fractured and whole parts of identity. My art becomes a form of self-validation—rooted not in external approval, but in reflection and expression. Ultimately, resilience, belonging, and empowerment are interconnected steps toward a more honest, layered selfhood. The artistic journey thus becomes one of inner reconciliation and outward assertion, where resilience, belonging, and empowerment are intertwined steps toward authentic self-realization.
Q: Can you share what guided your choice of the work included in Unspoken Codes, and what you hope it might evoke for viewers?
A: Commencement was created in direct response to the exhibition theme, embodying the layered tensions of reflection, identity, and unconscious imprinting. Materials like water, ink, and stamps are not just metaphors—they actively shape the work’s surface and meaning. Together, they visualize how identity is distorted by internalized societal expectations. By making these invisible forces visible, the piece invites viewers to reflect on their own identities—how much is authentic, and how much is shaped by the need for external validation. It opens a space for dialogue around power, identity, and freedom, encouraging both personal introspection and collective recognition. Ultimately, the work calls for a deeper understanding of self, urging viewers to look beyond surface reflections and toward a more compassionate view of identity’s complexity.