Babalwa Tom is a visual artist, she studied Cinematography at the African Film Drama Academy (AFDA), 2012 in Cape Town, South Africa, where she was born and raised. Her background is in photographic assistance, experiential marketing and Model agent management. After 7 years in this field, Babalwa felt as though she was fading away and had a question to find out ‘there must be more?’, she packed a tiny little bag got on a bus that drove to the largest rainforest in Southern Africa, The Tsistikamma.  

She spent 2 years in the rain forest unlearning all she has known and learning new ways of being and a different pace of lifestyle, which lead to a return to oneself. This time in the forest, not only consciously changed the way of living and perceptions of what life is. It also brought performance art, painting, illustration and photography into Babalwa’s life in a big way. As this was the form of expression into her investigation of what is matter, from the human body, to our place within the ecosystems, the nature through energy and aura. This led her to a self-universal study, which steered her into Quantum mysticism, Quantum Physics & Spirituality, Psychokinesis, Ontology studies and practices.  

Returning back into the city 5 years ago, Babalwa now focused and drawing clarity through her work to display omnipresence, to be everywhere at the same time, omniscience, conscious of all conditions and omnipotence, the ability to change any event.

Nature plays the big role in guiding me. All energy matter has its own different frequencies in correspondence to what is in the mind and heart of self. Gently moving and feeling with all around me, I evoke what I feel, the energy of matter, through visual art working in the mediums of photography, painting, illustration and performance art. I am inspired on how the human body (mind, body and spirit) and social/cultural perceptions interchange between matter (atoms and energy fields). Our natural ecosystems we are within and how this influences my emotion and mind is my exploration. Creating out an experience through energy, what it felt and feels like, looked and looks redefined.

EXHIBITIONS:
Year: 2019 – Venue: Museum of African Design (MOAD)
Exhibition about: The title refers to the ways in which these two individuals have worked thus far in their careers: each has managed to teach, learn and grow as an artist and exhibit outside of the often challenging, competitive and somewhat exclusionary South African art scene. The exhibition is twofold: to show the creative womxn scene and to give voice to those who are constantly pushed under by toxic masculinity. This includes the private and public conception of what the womxn must do and be. Using the term womxn is deliberate as this is how these individuals identify. It also points to the notion of being ‘other’ and working outside of conventional structures. The exhibition aims to demonstrate that there is an alternative art scene, occupied by talented womxn artists, who are working on the fringe to achieve their goals and who are challenging the norms in our society.
Babalwa Tom Exhibited: a series of digital prints and a short film titled Womxn Water. In her work as filmmaker, Babalwa explores the ways in which forms are visualised and conceived of. For the film Womxn Water, featuring the performance artist Marion Versitile, we delve into the water (literally – the film is shot underwater) to witness how the body moves. In her signature kaleidoscopic style, and a with music by Dumama and Kechou, the film explores the feminine and masculine of the artist and the connection between the self and water. The digital prints from the series NaturaJuxa explores the
connection between living plants and our place within the natural ecosystem. The work is a comment on our dependency and connection to the natural environment.
Year: 2018 – Venue: GUS Gallery and Muizenberg Festival (Cape Town, South Africa)
Exhibition about: Site Specific Installation of Stage & Costume Design, showcasing projection of liquid light visual art onto textile stage installation and costume along with a performance installation. Expressing a story of possibilities of so many worlds I walk into.
Year: 2018 – Venue: Unknown Unioin , Radisson Red Hotel, Homecoming Museum (Cape Town, South Africa)
Exhibition about: Fiercepop Pop Up exhibition called WOMXN, graphic arts and photography exhibition presents work from artists on the ongoing struggle for recognition and freedom of Womxn as well as a celebration of women in their lives who have inspired them to create new works.
Babalwa Tom Exhibited: Photography and Digital Design Prints, a series called Naturajuxa. The healing power of art. NaturaJuxa explores the connection between living plants and our place within the natural ecosystem. The work is a comment on our dependency and connection to the natural environment.
Year: 2017 – Venue: BLOCH, Com&Com
Exhibition about: A Swiss custom called Bloch, This travelling exhibition and site specific installation to develop a new Bloch custom at each station base it went to in South Africa with their local traditions. In the process, the original custom and its meaning changed, entering into a dialogue with foreign cultures and people, mix with new elements, and being reinterpreted. At every stage of the journey, something completely new will emerged. This art event was accompanied by discussions (talks, symposia) and other cultural and social events (exhibits, festivals, music, theater), as well as individual artworks, short films, and a website.
Babalwa Tom Exhibited: Site Specific Installation of Fire performance and Costume design. Fire dancing in white designed costume made out of chiffon and tape. To imprint the rebirthing of dreams, between delicate gentle movements, combined with shaking off tight sticky patterns and burning through into the birthing of a new self.