nomTHUNZI MASHALABA
(b. 1979, South Africa)

nomThunzi Mashalaba is a South African artist currently based in Mthatha. She graduated with a B-Tech (Fine Arts) from Tshwane University of Technology in 2006. Mashalaba’s interdisciplinary practice revolves around exploring deeper into personal stories. Her recent work deals with loss and mourning, and is informed by existential philosophy, psychology and the notion of textiles as a form of language. These new works are established in both two- and three-dimensions, taking the form of intricate woven paintings, layered wall hangings and freestanding pieces.

By experimenting and modifying weaving methods, Mashalaba both deconstructs and transforms the weaving process to create residual archives of memories. She explores the capriciousness of memory, and creates works that are an amalgamation of textile techniques both traditional and in parallel with unorthodox undertakings. The ambiguous narration of the work is intended to go beyond its original basis to the unpredictable shaping of something that is simultaneously the present, past, personal and otherwise.

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2024 Pretend you’re happy when you’re blue, it isn’t very hard to do, Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, SA
2018 me without my shadow, my shadow without me, Everard Read, Cape Town, SA.
2014 When Trees Meet Fire, Graskop, SA
2012 Mamiya, Blank Projects, Cape Town, SA
2011 Kushukwa Intambo, Maclear, SA
2010 Square, Blank Projects, Cape Town, SA

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2025 Diepe Grond (Attaqualand), curated by Liza Grobler, Klein Karoo National Arts Festival, Oudtshoorn, SA
Seeds are sewn as time unravels, Bev de Lange & nomThunzi Mashalaba, GFI Gallery, Gqeberha, SA
2024 Ilizwi Liyamisa: The Power of the Voice, 16 on Lerotholi, Cape Town, SA
2023 Winter, Everard Read, Cape Town, SA
2022 Winter, Everard Read, London, UK
Turbine Art Fair, with Spier Arts Trust, Johannesburg, SA
2019 Speculative Inquiry #1, Michaelis Galleries, Cape Town, SA
2018 Summer, Everard Read, London, UK
Imbewu, Greatmore Studios, Cape Town, SA
2017 Investec Cape Town Art Fair, with Everard Read, Cape Town, SA
2014 Hawk, Hangklip Art Week, Cape Town, SA
When Form Becomes Attitude, Blank Projects, Cape Town, SA
2013 Crossing Boundaries, Virginia Commonwealth Gallery, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar
Paint: Experimental ventures into expanded painting, Brundyn + Gonsalves, Cape Town, SA
2012 Hollard Art Exchange, Johannesburg, SA
Alptraum, travelling drawing exhibition, Berlin, Los Angeles, Cape Town
Matters Conceptual, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town, SA
15.15, Kunst Macht Schule, Hamburg, Germany
2011 Black, the antithesis of fraudulent sensuality of culture's facade. An experiment in voluntary asceticism, Blank Projects, Cape Town, SA
Tusseorde en avontuur/between order and adventure, Artscape, Cape Town, SA
Crossing Boundaries, VCUQ Gallery, Qatar
Something to Write Home About, Greatmore Studios, Cape Town, SA
2010 Matters Conceptual, Erdmann Contemporary, Cape Town, SA
2009 Sasol New Signature merit award, Pretoria, SA
Waste at Work, The Old Wine Cellar Gallery, Spier, Cape Town and Hollard, Johannesburg, SA
Aardklop National Art Festival, Potchefstroom, SA

SELECTED PUBLIC INTERVENTIONS/SITE SPECIFIC PROJECTS

2011 Slices of Life, Infecting the City, Cape Town, SA
2007 Prince Albert Art Festival, Prince Albert, SA
2006 Colour Blind performance, Aardklop Art Festival, Potchefstroom, SA

RESIDENCES/EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES

2014 Progr, Bern, Switzerland
2011 Greatmore Studios, Cape Town, SA
2007 Greatmore Studios, Cape Town, SA
2006 Cultural Exchange Programme, Antananarivo, Madagascar