MBALI TSHABALALA
– East London, South Africa
Mbali Tshabalala is a South African multidisciplinary artist, curator, and creative entrepreneur. 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 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.
Group Exhibitions
2025 – Cubicle – Everard Read Cape Town
2024 – Little Life – Everard Read Cape Town
2024 – 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 Untitld, Asisebenze Art Atelier, Open Studio Johannesburg
2021 – RMB Turbine Art Fair: Collective Untitld 2020 – RMB Turbine Art Fair: Collective Untitld
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 Untitld (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 – RMB Turbine Art Fair: Collective Untitld
2019 – Latitudes Ltd X David Krut Projects. Latitudes Art Fair
2019 - Urban Findings Curated by: Mbali Tshabalala (Keys Art Mile)
2019 - First Edition auction (Strauss and Co)
2019 - 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)
Corporate Collections
JP Morgan Chase
William Humphries
The National Art Bank
Spier Art Trust
Nando’s Collection
RMB Art Collection
Asisebenze Art Atelier Collection