In this episode I speak with Natalie Paneng an innovative New Media artist from South Africa whose work embodies a unique blend of awkwardness and complexity, with a distinct quirkiness in her expression. Leveraging her self-acquired digital expertise and her background in theater, Natalie now excels in creating multifaceted digital art. She identifies as a world builder, viewing her expanding practice as a means to explore, communicate, and document both imagined and alternate realities, which she vividly brings to life through her artistic flair and digital prowess. Natalie's solo journey through the peaks and troughs of artistry offers an intimate glimpse into what it means to be fully immersed in the world one creates, and the perseverance it demands to communicate a vision as it unfolds. In this episode, we also talk about one of her works"Ophelia does backstroke," where Natalie's art beckons us back to the innocence of childhood through her reimagined narratives. Natalie's exploration of self-discovery and authenticity through her craft stands as a beacon for those daring to remember and reclaim their forgotten values of imagination. You can connect with Natalie at https://www.instagram.com/nataliepaneng_/