Tschabalala Self

Tschabalala Self (b. 1990) is an American artist celebrated for her dynamic depictions of Black female bodies, blending painting, printmaking and textile techniques to explore themes of identity, race and gender. Raised as the youngest of five children in Harlem, New York, Self was immersed in the vibrant textures and visuals of urban life. Her mother, who often sewed at home, influenced Self's practice by incorporating fabric into her artwork. Self's work is deeply inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, particularly the collage techniques of Romare Bearden, and reflects her experiences and cultural attitudes toward race and gender.

Self's artistic approach involves constructing exaggerated depictions of female bodies using a combination of sewn, printed and painted materials, traversing different artistic and craft traditions. Her work challenges conventional representations of the Black female form, emphasising its complexity and vitality.

In recent years, Self has presented her work in major solo exhibitions internationally, displaying a combination of paintings, mixed-media works and immersive installations. These exhibitions have been held at esteemed institutions such as the Espoo Museum of Modern Art in Finland, Kunstmuseum St. Gallen in Switzerland and the Longlati Foundation in Shanghai.

Tschabalala Self (b. 1990)

Sapphire

TSCHABALALA SELF (B. 1990)

Pressed

Tschabalala Self (b.1990)

Spare Moment

Tschabalala Self (b. 1990)

Love to Saartjie

Tschabalala Self (b. 1990)

Floor Dance

TSCHABALALA SELF (B.1990)

Colored 2

TSCHABALALA SELF (B. 1990)

Mista & Mrs.

Tschabalala Self (b. 1990)

Colored 1

TSCHABALALA SELF (B. 1990)

Sapphire

TSCHABALALA SELF (B. 1990)

Princess

TSCHABALALA SELF (B.1990)

Princess

TSCHABALALA SELF (B.1990)

Choker

TSCHABALALA SELF (b. 1990)

Girl with Bottle