Cassi Namoda

Sentiment of Saudade

- Kristin Farr

Cassi Namoda is a soothsaying painter who explores the duality of Mozambique’s post-colonial identity. Storytelling through metaphorical female protagonists, she distills history, bringing emotional strength to the forefront. Namoda is a wise soul, a magnetic luminary who flies hand-painted kites on the beach and possesses an innate understanding of herbal alchemy. Saudade is the name of her artist edition tea project, and a Portuguese sentiment essential to Africa’s Lusophone perspective; it’s the word for an indescribable longing, and an undercurrent in the artist’s contemplative, allegorical work. She interprets history with empathy, which serves as an enlightened catalyst for understanding.

Kristin Farr: How are you?

Cassi Namoda: Summer in Long Island; I can’t complain. I’ve been in the studio prepping for shows, and I’ve taken up a new hobby of surfing, which has been a nice way to move my body and be out in the water.

I was admiring your painting, Maria Outside Bar Mundo, and wondering about the figures.