Tschabalala Self

Key facts

Born

1990, American

Movements

• Contemporary
• Figurative

• What is Tschabalala Self known for?+

  Tschabalala Self is known for her distinctive approach to figuration and her examination of the experiences of Black women in contemporary society. Her work often features bold forms and striking, fragmented figures.
• What is Tschabalala Self's most famous work?+

  Tschabalala Self is best known for her depictions of Black female figures using paint, print, and sewn materials. Her composite style combines varied approaches to portraiture and figuration. Self's works often explore themes of identity, sexuality, and race, particularly as they relate to the Black female experience. She constructs her figures from a combination of canvas, found fabrics, and paint, creating textured surfaces. These works engage with stereotypes and challenge conventional representations of the Black female body. Although no single work can be definitively called her "most famous", several pieces have received attention. "Out of Body" (2015) is a large-scale piece that uses a mix of media to depict a reclining figure. Another well-known work, "Sapphire" (2017), presents a powerful image of a Black woman, challenging stereotypical portrayals. Self's art has been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally, contributing to conversations about representation and identity in contemporary art.
• What should I know about Tschabalala Self's prints?+

  When collecting Tschabalala Self's prints, bear in mind that edition sizes and numbering can vary. The standard method is to number all prints in a limited edition (for example, 35/100). The larger number represents the total edition, and the smaller number is the print's individual number. Some artists also create a small number of artist's proofs, marked AP. It is common to sign and number prints in pencil. When assessing a print's value, consider its context and production. An original print is conceived and executed solely as a print, often in a numbered edition, and signed by the artist. Each print is individually inked and pulled, making it a 'multi-original'. A reproduction, however, is a copy of artwork originally created in another medium, such as painting. Numbering and signing a reproduction does not make it an original print. Processes like photomechanical reproduction can be used creatively in original printmaking, but the intent behind the work distinguishes it from a mere reproduction.
• What style or movement did Tschabalala Self belong to?+

  Tschabalala Self is a contemporary artist whose work defies easy categorisation. While not directly associated with a historical art movement, her practice engages with a range of artistic traditions and contemporary concerns. Self's art often incorporates elements of collage, painting, and printmaking, using fabric and found materials to construct layered compositions. These works frequently depict Black figures, particularly women, exploring themes of identity, race, gender, and the body. Some critics have noted connections between Self's work and the Black Arts Movement, which emerged in the United States in the 1960s. This movement emphasised Black self-determination, cultural pride, and artistic expression. Self's focus on representing Black figures and experiences aligns with some of these concerns. However, Self's artistic approach is also deeply personal and contemporary, drawing on a range of influences and experiences to create a unique visual language. Therefore, while elements of earlier movements may be present, her work is best understood as a distinct contribution to contemporary art.
• What techniques or materials did Tschabalala Self use?+

  Tschabalala Self is known for her mixed-media approach, combining painting and printmaking with fabric and sewing. Her works often incorporate a variety of materials, including canvas, patterned fabrics, and found textiles. Self builds up surfaces through layering, creating textured and collaged compositions. She uses both flat, abstract colour fields and figurative elements in her work. The artist employs techniques such as quilting and sewing to join different materials, creating a sense of depth and dimension. Her approach to materials and techniques allows her to explore themes of identity, race, and gender. The use of fabric and collage can be seen as a way of piecing together different aspects of the self and creating a complex representation of lived experience.
• What was Tschabalala Self known for?+

  Contemporary art has seen a resurgence of interest in figural works. Tschabalala Self is among the modern artists working in this mode. Other artists working with figural representation include Jenny Saville, who was born in Britain in 1970. Saville is known for large self-portraits. These paintings exaggerate her body and depict folds of flesh. Saville's nudes offer a commentary on the fashion industry's focus on thin bodies. In her 1992 work, *Branded*, Saville inscribed words, such as "delicate", on her flesh. Kiki Smith, born in 1954, also uses the human body in her sculptures. Smith's art explores who controls the human body. Her interest grew from her training as an emergency medical service technician. Smith wants to expose the socially constructed nature of the body. She encourages viewers to consider how external forces shape perceptions. In *Untitled* (1990), Smith presented two life-size wax figures. The nude male and female figures were marked with drips of wax, simulating bodily fluids.
• When did Tschabalala Self live and work?+

  Tschabalala Self was born in Harlem, New York, in 1990. She continues to live and work in the New York area. Her practice encompasses painting, sculpture, and printmaking, often exploring themes of identity, race, and gender through depictions of Black female figures. Self attended Bard College, receiving her BA in 2012. She then earned an MFA in painting and printmaking from the Yale School of Art in 2015. Her work gained recognition following her inclusion in the 2015 exhibition 'A Constellation' at the Studio Museum in Harlem. Since then, Self has had solo exhibitions at various galleries and museums, both nationally and internationally. Her art often incorporates a range of materials, including paint, fabric, and found objects, to build layered, textured surfaces.
• Where can I see Tschabalala Self's work?+

  Unfortunately, the provided passages do not contain information about where to view Tschabalala Self's work. They reference other artists and exhibitions, but not Self. Without specific information, I can only offer general advice. A good starting point would be major museums and galleries that focus on contemporary art, particularly those with collections of work by Black artists. Check the websites of institutions like the Tate Modern (London), the Studio Museum in Harlem (New York), or the Zeitz MOCAA (Cape Town) for current or past exhibitions. You could also consult art publications or online databases that list gallery representation for artists. These resources might point you to commercial galleries that regularly exhibit Self's pieces. Keep an eye on art-world news for announcements of upcoming shows.
• Where was Tschabalala Self from?+

  Tschabalala Self is an American artist. Her work often engages with themes of Black identity and representation in the United States. Self's art frequently uses collage techniques, combining paint, fabric, and printmaking. Her piece *Pocket Rocket* (2020) is a collage using denim, fabric, thread, and digital print on canvas, with acrylic and hand-mixed pigments. The figure in the work wears clothing alluding to the colours of the American flag. Self has stated that she uses the term "Black America" in reference to her work. Her art can be seen in relation to other African-American artists, such as Romare Bearden, who challenged white supremacy in Western art. Self's work aims to demand Black representation in the cultural memory of the United States.
• Who did Tschabalala Self influence?+

  It is difficult to name specific artists who were directly influenced by Tschabalala Self, as scholarship has not yet focused on her direct influence on other artists. However, we can examine the influence of Self's artistic predecessors and contemporaries. During the apartheid era in South Africa, artists such as Gerard Sekoto, Ephraim Ngatane and Durant Sihlali depicted everyday life in black townships. Their work served as examples for later artists, despite limited access to art education and galleries for black artists. Sekoto, in particular, was regarded as a father figure for black South African modernists, and his style was emulated by subsequent generations. Sihlali, who documented the world around him, also influenced artists associated with the "township art" movement. These artists, along with others like Dumile Feni and Louis Maqhubela, created a visual language that addressed the realities of apartheid and black urban life. They employed a range of styles, from realism to expressionism, and their work often incorporated symbolic imagery and references to African traditions. Their art provides a historical context for understanding the themes and visual strategies employed by contemporary artists, such as Self, who engage with identity, representation, and social commentary in their work.
• Who influenced Tschabalala Self?+

  Many voices and perspectives have shaped Tschabalala Self's artistic vision. The artist Durant Sihlali was influenced by modernists like Picasso, Henry Moore, and Rufino Tamayo, as well as African sculptural forms. Sihlali's work was also informed by the conditions of urban black life in South Africa, a theme he shared with John Koenakeefe Mohl and Gerard Sekoto. Sihlali's aesthetic models came from his environment, rather than romanticised views of African spirits. Sihlali's style evolved from genre painting and realism to symbolist painting, eventually incorporating a postmodern stylistic overlay. His later work connected domestic, ancestral, artistic, and feminine themes. He also explored abstract art techniques and traditional cultural themes. Ndebele art was shown to students at Polly Street, where Sihlali received instruction. The white artist Larry Scully painted a mural in Ndebele style inside a classroom there.
• Who was Tschabalala Self?+

  Tschabalala Self is a contemporary artist working in a variety of media. Her work often includes painting, printmaking, and collage. Self's collages frequently combine denim, fabric, thread, and digital prints on canvas, with added paint and pigments. Her work engages with themes of race, gender, and the body, often referencing Black identity and representation in the United States. One example is *Pocket Rocket* (2020), which depicts a Black cowgirl. The figure's clothing alludes to the colours of the American flag. Self's art has been interpreted as a challenge to white supremacy and a demand for Black representation in cultural memory. This approach connects to the work of artists such as Romare Bearden, who also used collage to question dominant visual codes. Self has described her focus as "Black America".