Ange Madame
Ange Madame’s approach to her multi-faceted art—spanning sound design, performance, and costume—feels unrestricted, driven by a deep intuition developed over years. She views her work as a fluid experiment, shaped by her childhood curiosity and independence. “I was never drawn to convention,” she says. “I’ve always chased my own vision, however unconventional.” Her recent film project, D.W.Y.L x Starlight x Moonlight, is a blend of DIY authenticity and deliberate visual structure, capturing both raw simplicity and avant-garde intensity. For Ange, the beauty of DIY lies in its immediacy; as she explains, “It’s the most honest art form because it demands presence.” Winning the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Performance Art marked a milestone, yet also deepened her sense of responsibility to her community as a trans woman of color. Ange’s self-described journey toward “quieting the noise” reflects her commitment to unfiltered expression—an invitation for audiences to experience identity beyond mainstream ideals.
As a sound designer, costume designer, and performer, how do you navigate these different creative roles in your work? Do these roles come together naturally, or does each one challenge you in unique ways?
I always allow all avenues of creative experimentation to feed each other, everything is driven by intuition which started as a young kid even when in university I was driven to follow my own path and take my own risks always pushing the walls away and being free to express my deepest creative desires which I find now the reason why I’m never bored.
Your short film music video D.W.Y.L x Starlight x Moonlight has a specific DIY aesthetic, remembering both familiarity and avant-garde elements. How did you conceptualize this visual style, and what were the driving ideas behind it? In your statement, you mention that "perfection" isn't the goal; rather, you seem looking for rawness. How does this philosophy shape your approach to performance?
Well the diy is always the root of performance, it’s the richest art form because it is so abundant and in this case coming from South Africa where for most people resources are scarce it is a case of teach a man to perform he will feed himself and his community, in my case. The rawness is the freedom to be present, in the present I am my best and for many it’s the same. The philosophy of being clay, as an analogy, I can be infinite shapes which in their right are perfect verses the end goal of perfection, I can be perfect in the freedom I express but if I aimed for something ridged I would be limiting my potential.
You recently won the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Performance Art, a significant accolade in South Africa. How has this recognition impacted your work or influenced your artistic direction?
It has in a way allowed me to find myself and be grand in my displays of creativity in a more confident way, the doubt has subsided and I would be lying to myself if I never thought I was the SHIIIIII- lol, it’s been such a huge honour and as a trans woman of colour and bigger privilege and responsibility for me and my community to always keep the standards high so people know how to treat us.
Down With Your Love opens with lyrics about taking "a leap of faith." How does this sentiment resonate with your current creative journey, and does it reflect personal experiences or themes in your work?
It shows me how to be confident in my mentality and consciousness I possess. I battled silencing the noise and the noise that comes with fame for years, and I have trained my brain to be quiet after years, it was all about reclaiming my own power and not letting others determine my worth or actions.
Many of your performances, including elements in Starlight, appear to challenge traditional femininity and the “ideal” images seen in mainstream culture, how these themes feed your work?
Well I’m plus size and and a unconventional trans woman so I got a lot of stereotypes I don’t fit in but I call myself, I cannot be a standard of beauty because that feels lazy and where is the uniqueness and quality of art form of drag dressing and personality in becoming a pop star jazz star that is a taste of the public, my goal is to let people know that this is my luxury and you can either feed into it, I’m what they never knew they needed.
Your choreography and visual style often reference iconic performers, like Gaga and Beyoncé. What draws you to these figures, and what influence have they had on shaping your identity as an artist?
They taught me work ethic that’s all, And allowed me to play with my gender and sexuality as a young human.
Your recent work seems to play with the surreal and chaotic, from CND symbols to digital effects. Do these choices carry symbolic meanings, or are they more about creating a specific atmosphere for the viewer?
Definitely more of an atmosphere for the viewer, it’s about crafting an experience sonically and visually the symbol for me means peace and that’s all I carry with it, despite its history.
Interview by DONALD GJOKA
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