Interview with Mbali Tshabalala

Published 23 May 2024 in Artists Interviews

By Nolan Stevens

 

As the curator of the Deconstructed series of month-long solo exhibitions, I caught up with Mbali Tshabalala ahead of the opening of her solo exhibition, Fragments of Infinity: Unveiling Multidimensional Realms, to find out about her process ahead of the June showcasing. 

 

Mbali will be the 2nd artist participating in the Deconstructed solo exhibition series that strips down each artist’s practice to their bare bones, allowing them to experiment with different mediums and processes.




Nolan: HI Mbali, for those who aren't familiar with your work, how would you describe your practice?

 

Mbali: My practice is an exploration of identity through the lens of race, gender, and social structures. I often use mixed media, photography, including printmaking techniques, to create thought-provoking works that challenge societal norms and celebrate the complexities of human experience.

 

 

Nolan: Could you guide us through the shifting in theme, subject and process you've employed in this DECONSTRUCTED exhibition?

 

Mbali: For this DECONSTRUCTED exhibition, I'm delving deeper into the idea of fragmentation and deconstructing established narratives. Expect to see a shift from my usual subjects towards a more abstract exploration, with a focus on symbolic elements. I'm also experimenting with new processes, incorporating different materials and techniques to push the boundaries of my artistic voice.

 

 



Nolan: What is it you would like visitors of this upcoming exhibition to take with them after seeing it?

 

Mbali: I hope visitors leave with a sense of introspection and a questioning of their own perspectives. My aim is to spark conversations about the complexities of identity and the importance of challenging pre-conceived notions.

 

Nolan: How have you been affected by the process of creating the works which will be exhibited for this exhibition?

 

Mbali: The creative process for this body of work has been one of self-discovery. Experimenting with new methods and delving deeper into these themes has been challenging but ultimately rewarding. It's forced me to confront my own biases and explore aspects of my identity in a new light.

 

Nolan: Have you started thinking about the next explorations of your artistic narrative to come after this showing, or is it still early days for those sorts of thought?

 

Mbali: While my focus is currently on this new work, new ideas are always bubbling away. The exploration of identity is a vast and ever-evolving journey. The themes I'm tackling in this exhibition might spark new directions for my future work, but it's too early to say for sure. I am however experimenting with ceramics and am constantly inspired by the world around me, and I'm sure new narratives will emerge in due course.

 

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