We met up with visual artist and Design Indaba Emerging Creative alumna, Neo Mahlangu aka @NeneMahlangu as she exhibited her work at 100 % Design in Johannesburg. @NeneMahlangu’s work is simple in its execution, yet it there is so much more to it than that which is seen at first glance. We caught up with the artist at 100% Design in Johannesburg where she was exhibiting not only her drawings, but her highly profiled project with South African Mint. Mahlangu was approached by South Africa Mint, the company that mints all rand coins, earlier this year to design brand new coins. It forms part of a collection of newly released R2 and R5 coins which showcase different aspects of South Africa's constitutional democracy, as part of the country's 25th anniversary of democracy. Other artists involved are Lady Skollie and Pretoria-born Maaike Bakke. Mahlangu was asked to think about things that are specially important in this country. This led to the artist designing two new Two-rand coins which featured themes surrounding education and children’s rights. The children's right coin is one that challenged her, reveals Mahlangu, but in the end, she went for expression of feelings as a key focus. “I just chose an age range and chose expressions that captured joy and laughter,” she says. The second coin focused on the right to education. In this, she looked at her own experiences as a scholar, and chose graduation caps to symbolise that. “This thing is full circle. Whether you are in Grade R or doing your PhD you are always in that cap,” she explains. You will see in Mahlangu’s work that the design of the coin was nothing new to her as she always focuses on using facial expressions to tell a story, and to showcase human interaction. “I obsess about human connections and about how people interact with each other,” she explains. We first met Mahlangu is 2018 where she was part of the @designindaba Emerging Creatives programme . @NeneMahlangu revealed that she’s most appreciative for the workshop opportunity that came with being a part of the programme. This was hosted by industry professionals and former Emerging Creatives who have made a name for themselves. “It taught me how to become a creative entrepreneur. What I learnt from this was that I’m more than my work. I can be a great designer, artist and illustrator, but if I only concentrate on that, then it will be a handicap to my business,” she explains. #DesignIndaba #VisualArt #EmergingCreative #CreativeEntrepreneur #CoinDesign

Meet @designindaba Emerging Creative: Clement Maenetja Clement's body of work Memories, is inspired by nostalgia. Using clay as his medium Clement recreates the forms of enamel plates and paints his memories on them. This body of work that he is developing, Memories, is inspired by nostalgia - as a young boy he grew up in a second family with new faces and people who accepted him and treated him as an equal. He is fascinated by the love he was given by his Mother. Also, exposure to the environment that he grew up in has a measure of influence on his work, because moving from an urban area to a rural area really opened his eyes to how other people lived and survived. Visit the link in our bio to learn more about his work and that of other emerging creatives. #EmergingCreative #NostalgiaArt #ClementMaenetja #ClayArt #ArtCommunity #ContemporaryArt #ArtExhibition

Could you be our next #EmergingCreative? We have a six-month, paid placement opportunity for someone interested in working in the creative industries, or who is at the beginning of arts career. ⭐Learn more about the role & application process here: walktheplank.co.uk/about/opp…

Photographer Mishaal Gangaram believes every subject he shoots has their own sonic energy. Read our interview with Gangaram here: inda.ba/3d1wF7X Images: Mishaal Gangaram @MishaalGanjaz #designindaba #design #photography #emergingcreative

A huge S/O to @designindaba for this opportunity 🙏🏾✨❤️ #designindaba #art #GraphicDesigner #emergingcreative #artistsontwitter

The Final Concept Design for ‘Phantom’ Credit: Designer CAD System: SketchUp Mood-board: Canva (February-April 2021) #scenography #phantomoftheopera #productiondesign #setdesign #emergingcreative

Lethabo Moraka believes in making a connection with design of interiors and fashion that creates beauty in the daily life of every woman, making a way for them to feel empowered. Watch our full interview with the #EmergingCreative: inda.ba/32Dt5Js

#EmergingCreative: Luvo Mahangu's foray into the fashion industry has been a turbulent yet satisfying experience for the young artist. Learn about his journey here: inda.ba/3lFkRHi

Streetwear designer and past #EmergingCreative, Wandile Leeu on bridging the gap between tradition and cool. inda.ba/2AJvsOS

#EmergingCreative, Andrew Earl's work includes a chair titled 'Violence', which explores his family's experiences with violence and sexual assault. More here: inda.ba/32sVHoj

For #EmergingCreative, Christopher MacClements creative exploration and collaboration inspires his design journey. Watch the full interview: inda.ba/2OKCirx

From a young age, #EmergingCreative Courtney Hodgson found herself drawn to the various cultures in South Africa. This played a significant role in the development of her brand, @kiffkak. More here: inda.ba/2Zy5cke.

Streetwear designer and past #EmergingCreative, Wandile Leeu on bridging the gap between tradition and cool. inda.ba/2AJvsOS

Constant, a photo series by Pretoria-born photographer Basetsana Maluleka focuses on pain, love and healing. inda.ba/2WGOlIg #Emergingcreative

Today's featured artist of the day is Kevin John Peacock with this painting 'Curious English'. Go and support his insta page here @kevinjohnpocock Or check out his website: kevinjohnpocock.com #supportartists #emergingcreative #art #artists

#Emergingcreative: Lebogang Mogul Mabusela is a visual artist whose work draws on capitalism and consumer products. She creates artwork that subverts the gender norms perpetuated by Sepedi-Setswana proverbs and anecdotes. More on her work: bit.ly/2R438LI

Todays featured artist of the day is Susan Laughton. Go and support her insta page here @susanlaughton_artist #supportartists #emergingcreative #art #artists #support #creatives #artistfeature #artfeature #artistsinquarantine

#DesignIndada #DI2020 #EmergingCreative if you’re at the festival show some love.

Monique Vee will be exhibiting at Nightscape 2020 💫 2017 #EmergingCreative, Monique Vee is building a novel body of spatial and product design work. Her curiosity and examination present questions that are answered with elegant minimalism. Book now: bit.ly/2Pkecod

We felt very privileged (and slightly in awe) today hearing the brilliant @mladouceur29 record his debut album complete with a chamber orchestra and choir. It was absolutely magical. #Emergingcreative