Mbali Tshabalala

Mbali 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.

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