Zanele Montle: A Painter of Memory, Migration, and Identity

“Art is the voice of the soul, a reflection of who we are and where we come from.”

Zanele Montle’s work does not merely depict faces on a canvas—it echoes the soul of a people, the spirit of migration, and the nostalgia of home. A visual artist and educator based in Johannesburg, Montle’s artistic journey is deeply personal, rooted in the memories of her loved ones and the cultural identity of her Zulu heritage. Through bold, block-colored backgrounds and silhouetted figures, she captures everyday African portraits, each stroke a homage to family, history, and the anxieties of adaptation in an ever-changing world.

                                                        umhlangano woMama

The Language of Color and Silhouette

Bright hues, dark figures. This is the signature of Montle’s work—vibrant, arresting backdrops that make the human form more pronounced, almost like memory itself: vivid in emotion yet shadowed in time. These faceless figures are more than just artistic choice; they represent the universal African experience, the countless untold stories of those who navigate the urban landscape while holding onto their roots.

Montle’s use of silhouette is deliberate. It invites the viewer to project their narratives onto the figures, allowing for an intimate connection with each piece. The contrast between bold colors and dark figures evokes a visual rhythm that mirrors the push and pull of migration, belonging, and displacement.

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From KwaZulu-Natal to Johannesburg: The Journey of Identity

What does it mean to leave home? This question runs through Montle’s work like an unbroken thread. Growing up in KwaZulu-Natal, she found herself rooted in the warmth of family and community. Yet, like so many South Africans, she had to navigate the complexities of moving to the city—a place that promises opportunity but often delivers a profound sense of alienation.

Her paintings reflect this tension: figures that stand alone yet are deeply connected to the backgrounds they inhabit. With its relentless pace and stark contrasts, Johannesburg is both a place of growth and struggle for many migrants. Montle’s art becomes an emotional map, charting the experience of crafting a home away from home while longing for what was left behind.

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A Tribute to Family and Legacy

At the heart of Montle’s work is a powerful tribute to family. She paints from memory, drawing inspiration from old photographs of her mother and siblings. These figures are not just portraits but vessels of history, bearers of tradition, and reminders of resilience.

In an age where the past is often erased or overlooked, Montle’s paintings reclaim it. Her figures stand tall against the canvas, not as relics but as living, breathing memories. Each painting serves as a bridge between generations, a way to keep the stories of her family alive.

The Power of Language in Art

Every title in Montle’s collection is in Zulu, a conscious decision to honor her cultural roots and evoke a sense of nostalgia and belonging. Language, like art, has the power to anchor us. In a world that constantly demands adaptation, these titles serve as reminders of where she comes from. They do not just name the artwork; they imbue it with deeper meaning, creating an emotional resonance that transcends the visual.

This linguistic choice adds another layer to the experience for viewers. Whether fluent in Zulu or encountering the words for the first time, they are invited into Montle’s world—one where history, identity, and emotion intertwine seamlessly.

Recognition and the Role of Education in Art

Montle’s contributions to the art world have not gone unnoticed. In 2015, she was a finalist in the Thami Mnyele Fine Art Competition, an achievement that placed her among South Africa’s most promising emerging artists. But her impact extends beyond her canvas—she has shaped the industry from within, having worked as a gallery manager at Hazard Gallery and later moving into arts education.

With a postgraduate qualification in art education, Montle understands that creativity is both a skill and a language that must be nurtured. Her role as an educator allows her to pass on her knowledge and passion, ensuring that the next generation of South African artists find their own voices.

Her dedication was further recognized in 2021 when she received the inaugural META Foundation Womxn to Watch Award, a prestigious honor highlighting influential female artists shaping contemporary South African art. This recognition underscores her ability to balance artistic excellence with community impact.

Montle’s Legacy: More Than Just Art

Montle’s work is more than just paint on canvas—it is a conversation between past and present, between the self and the collective. It speaks to the anxieties of migration, the beauty of memory, and the resilience of identity. Her art does not shout; it hums, resonates, and lingers.

As she continues her journey as an artist and an educator, one person is sure: Zanele Montle is not just painting portraits. She is painting history, emotion, and the very essence of what it means to belong.

“Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” – Edgar Degas.

Montle does precisely that. Through her work, we do not just see figures on a canvas; we see ourselves, our families, and our shared stories reflected back at us.