At Home & At The Studio With Cassi Namoda
Written by Katie Hintz-Zambrano
Photography by Chiara Lombardi
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The globe-trotting creative invites us into her Italian home and studio to talk about the radical act of being a mother and artist.
Watching renowned artist Cassi Namoda become a mother is a beautiful thing to behold. Even through the very limited lens of social media, the love she has for her infant daughter, Arafah Gaza, gushes forth, as does the wonder and curiosity she has for this new stage of life.
We were lucky to get to dive deeper into these topics—motherly love, evolution, and wonder—and get a glimpse of Cassi’s new artist-mom life, in today’s profile.
Born in Maputo, Mozambique, to an African mother and American father who worked at a non-profit, the globe-trotting creative has also resided in Kenya, Uganda, Benin, Haiti, Indonesia, the Dominican Republic, and the U.S.—and is currently settled in Biella, Italy, where her studio is a 20-minute walk from her home.
Cassi’s uniquely global perspective is infused in her vivid artwork, alongside references to family, legacy, mythology, and daily life. With her entry into motherhood, we’re excited to see how this new reality makes its way into her paintings—as it actively reshapes her life and outlook.
“I’ve come to the conclusion that capitalism hates mothers,” she says of one new takeaway. “It’s a threat to society’s work plan. But guess what? We were all raised by someone, so my job is to raise my child, as well as be an artist, and those roles can coexist.”
The very act of being both a mother and an artist is radical, she explains.
“I had an instance where I couldn’t make it on time to an opening and then later I was punished because I decided to choose taking care of my baby and her fever. I was so shocked and upset, but quickly realized that this might not be the last time this would happen. And that artists have always been radical and being a mother and an artist is radical, so I quickly reaffirmed my position.”
For more on Cassi’s powerful new chapter, enjoy her feature, below.
Be sure to follow Cassi on Instagram at @cas_amandaa.
Did you always know you wanted to be a mother?
"No, not at all. In my mid twenties, it became something that would cross my mind from time to time, but I think really in my early thirties it felt clear I would like to be a mother alongside being an artist."
How was your pregnancy and birth experience?
"I had a 26-hour natural labor. It was the marathon of my lifetime. I had an amazing doula, Romy Finbow, who came in to take care of me before and after the birth. I labored at home and then did the rest of the birth at the hospital. Honestly, I wish I had just stayed home and remained in my space. I think it would’ve gone faster and I would have had more agency over my body and my baby. I still haven’t written my birth story, but it’s something I must do."
“I just infuse Arafah into my life in all ways—she’s like my mascot, she comes to my shows, she travels with me, she goes to museums with me.”
Tell us about your daughter's name and why you chose it.
"Arafah means the 'the meeting place,' 'to know,' and 'exalted.'"
"The Day of Arafah is a day of repentance and forgiveness in Islam. It's also known as Yawm Al-Waqf, which means 'the Day of Standing.' On this day, pilgrims stand in front of Allah and ask for mercy."
"Her following name, Gaza, means 'strong city' in Semitic language. We were moved by the atrocities against the Palestinian people and wanted to name her something that would honor all the children who lost their lives from the genocide."
What excites you about raising a daughter?
"I love raising a daughter. I’m so inspired by her beauty and the way she smiles and laughs. She’s a really beautiful soul and I can’t wait to experience her essence even more. She makes me more feminine."
"I waited to find out her gender [until birth]. I feel there are so few surprises in life, that this one would be the greatest surprise of all. I knew she was a girl the whole time. I could feel her."
Would you like more than one child?
"In someways I would love more than one. But I also feel like Arafah completes me."
What has surprised you about the experience of motherhood so far?
"I’m much more aware and attentive, like a hyper-focus I never really experienced before."
What was your own upbringing like?
"My upbringing was a unique one, we moved around quite a bit, experiencing different cultures and people—a sort of peripatetic upbringing. My father was in non-profit work, which brought us to many places."
Are there things from your upbringing that you're consciously trying to incorporate (or not incorporate) into your daughter's upbringing?
"I think a sense of culture and awareness. My husband, Yousef, is a big family guy. He’s 1 of 12, so family is very important. As well as spirituality."
“I’ve come to the conclusion that capitalism hates mothers. It’s a threat to society’s work plan. But guess what? We were all raised by someone, so my job is to raise my child, as well as be an artist, and those roles can coexist.”
Creativity and art are such big elements of your own life—is this something you're trying to infuse into Arafah's childhood?
"I just infuse Arafah into my life in all ways—she’s like my mascot, she comes to my shows, she travels with me, she goes to museums with me. I think it’ll come natural and it’s totally cool if she wants to do nothing with creative work in her later life and wants to be like a scientist or something."
What excites you most about motherhood right now?
"Kissing my daughter every chance I get while she’ll still let me!"
What makes you most nervous?
"Anything bad happening to her!"
What advice would you give to other moms about to have their first child?
"Take rest / you’re in no rush/ stay hydrated."
You grew up living in different cities and countries. Is it something that you want to infuse into Arafah's life, as well?
"We dream of raising her in Morocco, outside of Marrakech—close to nature and I’ll have a studio where I can paint and she can always know where to find me."
What have you learned about motherhood in the different cultures/countries you've experienced in your travels?
"Every country has their own system for caring for new mothers. Considering urban landscapes and society, I found Italy quite a generous place to navigate whilst pregnant. They have a deep love for the mother and child. I’ve been quite lucky that way."
Did you always know you would be an artist?
"Yes, I knew it."
Can you tell us about your career in a nutshell?
"I’m an artist based in Biella, Italy where I live and work. I work with three different galleries on three different continents. I recently had a show up at Xavier Hufkens Gallery in Brussels."
What would you consider your "big break" when it comes to making a name for yourself in the art world?
"When I finally let go of things that weren’t worthy of my time."
How has becoming a mother impacted your creativity and career? (If at all).
"More awareness, certainly."
Do you have regular hours that you try to work each day?
"Every day is a dance around Arafah and what feels good for the both of us. In general, I try to keep a few hours in the studio, which is a 20-minute walk from home."
Do you have specific creative habits or practices to get going and get inspired?
"Swimming or hiking is a nice one for me. Nature is great stimulation."
Any advice you'd give to fellow artists about juggling a business + and a young child?
"I recently had a few issues navigating this. And I’ve come to the conclusion that capitalism hates mothers. It’s a threat to society’s work plan. But guess what? We were all raised by someone, so my job is to raise my child, as well as be an artist, and those roles can coexist. I had an instance where I couldn’t make it on time to an opening and then later I was punished because I decided to choose taking care of my baby and her fever and we were 24 hours away from home. I was so shocked and upset, but quickly realized that this might not be the first and last time this would happen. And that artists have always been radical and being a mother and an artist is radical, so I quickly reaffirmed my position."
Any big goals or happenings—professionally or personally—that you're excited about for 2025?
"My participation in the Sharjah Biennale 2025."
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