Mary Sibande

Mary Sibande (b. 1982, Barberton, South Africa) is a multidisciplinary artist renowned for her compelling explorations of identity, the black female body, and the socio-political landscape of post-colonial and post apartheid South Africa. She received her Diploma in Fine Arts from the Witwaterand Technical College and her Honours degree from the University of Johannesburg in 2007.

Sibande's practice combines sculpture, photography, and installation, often centered around her alter-ego, Sophie. This sculptural figure, modeled after herself and inspired by the women in her family, serves as a powerful symbol of femininity, labour, and the intersection of personal and collective histories. Sophie's attire, blending domestic worker uniforms with extravagant Victorian dress, subverts traditional power structures and challenges historical narratives.

Her work addresses sensitive topics such as gender-based violence, ensuring dignity and respect for the women she represents. Sibande's art has evolved through phases marked by distinct colors—Blue, Purple, and currently Red—each reflecting a shift in focus and narrative depth.

Sibande's notable achievements include the Helgaard Steyn Prize for Sculpture (2021), the Smithsonian African Artist Award (2017), and the Standard Bank Young Artist Award for Visual Arts (2013). She has exhibited widely, including at the 54th Venice Biennale (2011), the 12th Biennale of Contemporary Art in Lyon (2013), and recent solo shows such as "Unhand Me, Demon!" at Kavi Gupta Gallery in Chicago (2021) and "The Red Ventriloquist" at Musée d’art Contemporain de Lyon (2022).

As co-founder of Occupying the Gallery, Sibande transforms gallery spaces into open studios for mentorship and artistic development. Her work continues to evolve, now focusing on future-oriented themes and the transformative power of imagination and storytelling.

Sibande resides in Johannesburg, where she remains deeply connected to the society and culture that inspire her art.