About The Artist
Artist BiographyMbali Tshabalala is a South African multidisciplinary artist, curator, and creative entrepreneur. She was born in East London, in the Eastern Cape. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine and Applied Arts from Tshwane University of Technology. Tshabalala honed her skills with studies in printmaking at the Artist Proof Studio, complementing her background in Graphic Design and Darkroom photography. Her artistic journey began in 2019, transitioning from a career in curatorial and art administration spanning over seven years. This background enriches her artwork, often described as embracing a "curator as artist" approach. Prior to focusing entirely on her art, Tshabalala held prominent roles including assistant curator at the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA). Her curatorial credits include leading initiatives like The Joburg Fringe under the Young Capital banner. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Tshabalala founded Collective UNTITLD and Anecdotes Gallery, contributing to South Africa's art scene. Her talent has garnered recognition, with features in prestigious collections such as Rand Merchants Bank, JP Morgan Chase, William Humphreys Gallery, Art Bank South Africa, and Spier Art Trust. Her work has also been showcased at esteemed institutions like Pretoria Art Association, Constitution Hill, Johannesburg Art Gallery, and prominent auction houses including Strauss & Co. and Aspire Art Auction.
Artist StatementMy practice encompasses collage, painting, printmaking, drawing, and photography, exploring the intersectionality of black women's experiences. My work challenges dominant narratives around mental health, femininity, and African spirituality. Central to my artistic expression is my own identity, particularly within the context of a post-colonial African city. I critique the collision between indigenous culture and a Eurocentric urban landscape, highlighting the neglect and its impact on mental health. My artwork intertwines ancient African knowledge systems with contemporary lived experiences through storytelling that reflects this cultural collision and its consequences. Group Exhibitions2024 – Inner Sanctum – Everard Read Johannesburg 2024 – Forewomen – Gallery MOMO 2023 – RMB LATITUDES Art Fair – David Krut Projects & Artist Proof Studios 2023 – Investec Cape Town Art Fair: World Art Gallery 2023 – To Embrace the Shadow is the Journey of the Sun and Soul. : The Melrose Gallery. 2022 – Sanlam Private Wealth X Asisebenze Art Atelier exhibition titled Inner City Views: curated by Nolan Stevens & Choni Gavin 2022 – Johannesburg Art Fair: David Krut Projects curated by Ame Bell. 2022 – Alone of it’s Kind : David Krut Projects Curated by Ame Bell. 2022 – ABADALI curated by Anastasia Panther. : JP Morgan Collection. 2022 – Print Collab: Perspective Art, Collective Untitled, Asisebenze Art Atelier, Open Studio Johannesburg 2021 – RMB Turbine Art Fair: Collective Untitled 2020 – RMB Turbine Art Fair: Collective Untitled 2020 - Summer Collection, (Aspire Auction) 2020 - Embodying Hir-Self, (Latitudes Online in partnership with Madlozi Art Africa) 2020 - SheImpressions, curated by Reneiwe Mathibe 2020 - Material Matter, Collective Untitled (Rand Merchant Bank Turbine Art Fair) 2020 - Faces of Africa, curated by Patrizia Litty (Litty Contemporary) 2019 - She Impressions, curated by Reneiwe Mathibe (The Project Space) 2019 - Articulating the infinite, curated by Palesa Suthane (Office Gallery) 2019 - LATITUDES Limited (David Krut Projects) 2019 - Urban Findings Curated by: Mbali Tshabalala and Nomandla Waca (Keys Art Mile) 2019 - First Edition auction (Strauss and Co) 2019 - That’s What She Said That’s What She Said – An exhibition for women, by women, in spirit the of women curated by Palesa Motsumi (Constitution Hill) 2019 - Smorgasbord curated by Megan Theunissen (Art Afrique) 2019 - Rand Merchant Bank Exhibition, curated by Busi Ntombela (MM Art House) 2019 - Joburg Fringe in Cape Town, curated by Sarie Potter (Ruth Prowse) 2018 - Back to the Future – Contemporary glass exhibition curated by Lothar Bottcher (Pretoria, Arts Association) 2018 - Interpreting the Intangible, curated by Mbali Tshabalala (The Project Space) 2017 - Common Ground, curated by Stuart Trent (Trent Gallery) 2017 - Young Capital Collecting Narratives, White Noise: with a focus on up and coming artists, curated by Mbali Tshabalala (Joburg Fringe) 2016 - Grey Areas, Curated by Johan Louw Stegmann and Stuart Trent (Trent Gallery) 2016 - The Global Nomadic Art Project, initiated by the YATOO Nature Art Association of Korea hosted by the Site Specific Collective. 2016 - Pretoria Arts Association Annual members exhibition curated by Pietervan Heerden (Pretoria Arts Association) 2016 - IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia), curated by Izaan Wiid (Alliances Françaises de Pretoria) 2016 - COOL CAPITAL SCULPTURE PROJECT: SAADJIES exhibition convenor Pieter Mathews (North West University Gallery) 2014 - Roald Dahl group exhibition (Long Street Art Lovers Gallery) 2013 - Coming Of age 21 Years Of Artist Proof Studio (Johannesburg Art Gallery) Solo Exhibition2022 – RMB Turbine Art Fair X Mbali Tshabalala’s Ever-Present Shift X Gallery2 Corporate CollectionsJP Morgan Chace William Humphries The National Art Bank Spier Art Trust Nando’s Collection RMB Art Collection. Asisebenze Art Atelier Collection AwardsLatitudes ANNA awards Finalists (2022) Sasol New Signatures (2022) Thami Mnyele Fine Art Award (2019) Art FairsArt JOBURG – Gallery MOMO (2024) RMB LATITUDES Art Fair – David Krut and Artist Proof Studios (2023) Investec Cape Town Art Fair – World Art (2023) Art JOBURG – David Krut (2022) RMB Turbine Art Fair – Gallery2 (2022) RMB Turbine Art Fair – Collective UNTITLD (2021) RMB Turbine Art Fair – Collective UNTITLD (2020) LATITUDES Art Fair – Latitudes Ltd. X David Krut (2019) RMB Turbine Art Fair – Collective UNTITLD (2019) AuctionsStrauss & Co. – Stellenbosch Festival (2024) Strauss & Co. – Stellenbosch Festival (2023) Aspire Art Auction – Summer Collection (2020) Strauss & Co. – First Edition Auction (2019) PressMental illness in focus at Mbali Tshabalalas exhibition titled Fragments of Identity 2023 - Mbali Tshabalala unveiling the intertwining dance between womanhood and identity through art 2022 - Young black artist in a time and a culture 2022 - Intraparadox an interview with Mbali Tshabalala abstract presence | |
Website of South African Artists |
 |
