Mbali Tshabalala

Mbali Tshabalala is a South African multidisciplinary artist based in Johannesburg. Born in East London, Eastern Cape, her work explores themes of identity, African spirituality, mental health, and femininity within post-colonial African contexts.

Tshabalala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine and Applied Arts from Tshwane University of Technology and refined her printmaking skills at the Artist Proof Studio. She began her artistic career in 2019 after transitioning from curatorial and art administration roles at Zeitz MOCAA.

Specialising in oil-based paper lithography, Tshabalala combines printmaking with painting, collage, drawing, and photography to examine the intersectionality of Black women’s experiences. Her art reflects ancient African knowledge systems and contemporary lived realities through storytelling.

Her work has been exhibited widely in South Africa and is included in major corporate collections such as JP Morgan Chase, The National Art Bank, the Spier Art Trust, and the Nando’s Collection. Tshabalala’s practice challenges dominant narratives, establishing her as a significant voice in contemporary African art.

Mbali is a recipient of The Bridge Visual Arts Residency for 2025.