Spotlight: Sensuality Meets Acceptance in Zandile Tshabalala's Self-Portraits
When did your journey as an artist begin?
I've always been in touch with my creative side. I used to draw a lot of paper dolls when I was in primary school and I wanted to be a fashion designer. I got introduced to fine art in grade 10 when I took visual art classes and made the decision to study art further. My family and I were not in agreement with this decision so I would say that studying art was a way for me to rebel (we eventually came to terms as my passion and dedication were evident). Although I've always made art, it is only in 2019/2020 that my works began to be publicly recognized and that I began to be taken seriously as a practicing artist.
What kind of visual artist would you describe yourself as?
I'd describe myself as a figurative, self-portrait artist with a lot of imagination.
What would you say are the central messages/themes in your work?
Representation, rest, self-reflection, body positivity and dreamscapes are what I tackle most. As I continue painting and engaging with my curiosity, my work evolves.
Enter Paradise is your latest exhibition at ADA \ contemporary art gallery. Tell me what the inspiration behind that is.
The inspiration behind "Enter Paradise" comes from a series I did titled "Paradise" that is heavily influenced by the likes of Henri Rousseau. The term "paradise" itself has been central in my thinking and also in my living as I had to find and make a utopia out of the most mundane activities and spaces. Observing and reflecting led me to a different kind of paradise that is always present but often overlooked. It is the exhale and the moments of simple leisure that I was mostly interested in for this particular show.
The Black female figure at the heart of this exhibition is visually quite distinct. Explain that a bit more.
The woman that is depicted is myself. I do not aim or aspire to depict an exact likeness, but rather a reflection that is more internal. My paintings are very reflective of the artist and sometimes there are clues in there as to how I think and who I am. I had the pleasure of having my first male muse also in the show (I'll leave it to my audience to spot him).
Take a look at some of Tshabalala's work below:
Enter Paradise ICourtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Enter Paradise IICourtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Ode to Rousseau IICourtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Study of a Nude (Self)Courtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Scrolling Courtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Untitled
Courtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Proud Nude I
Courtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
February FlowersCourtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
Proud Nude IICourtesy of the artist and of ADA \ contemporary art gallery.
