MBALI TSHABALALA
(b. 1988 East London, South Africa)

Mbali Tshabalala is a South African multidisciplinary artist, curator, and creative entrepreneur.

Tshabalala's practice encompasses collage, painting, printmaking, drawing, and photography and explores the intersectionality of black women's experiences. Her artwork intertwines ancient African knowledge systems with contemporary lived experiences through storytelling that reflects this cultural collision and its consequences.

Tshabalala's work challenges dominant narratives concerning mental health, femininity, and African spirituality. Central to her artistic expression is her 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,” she says. 

The artist holds a Bachelor's Degree in Fine and Applied Arts from Tshwane University of Technology. She 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 seven years. This background enriches her artwork, often described as embracing a "curator as artist" approach.

Prior to being a full time artist, 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 Young Capital. Driven by an entrepreneurial spirit, Tshabalala founded Collective UNTITLD and Anecdotes Gallery, further contributing to South Africa's vibrant art scene.

Her work is represented in collections including Rand Merchant Bank, JP Morgan Chase, William Humphreys Gallery, Art Bank South Africa and Spier Art Trust. Her work has been showcased at Pretoria Art Association, Constitution Hill and the Johannesburg Art Gallery.

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025
10 Years | Summer 2025, Everard Read, London, UK
Veil of Resilience (Imboni Yakucinisela), CUBICLE series, Everard Read, Cape Town, South Africa