Mental illness in focus at Mbali Tshabalala’s exhibition titled Fragments of Identity

By Edward Tsumele, CITYLIFE/ARTS Editor

The issue of mental health is sensitive issue in any society in general, and in black society in South Africa in particular. People suffer in silence afflicted by this illness, and families in most cases tend to treat the issue hush hush, afraid of the stigma that is attached to this illness, and not seek medical help, just like they would do if and when afflicted by other illnesses.

However in recent years, the South African society has generally started opening up on this issue, with conversation going on about this illness.

Visual artist, Mbali Tshabalala’s current exhibition that is on at Asisebenze Art Atelier in Johannesburg CBD is putting this issue once more into the spotlight and has the potential to ignite an elevated conversation about mental health.

A mix of self portraiture and abstract narratives, the paining captures the artists in different moods, appearing to be in a wedding. Does this perhaps give us a hint about the motivation behind the creation of this powerful exhibition.

At the launch of this exhibition a few weeks ago, the artist indeed explained that mental illness is prevalent, including among the creative sector. She revealed that an artist she knew took his own life due to depression.

‘This is an illness to which stigma is attached, and yet this is prevalent in society, including in black society. I personally experience depression in the past,” Tshabalala explained.

One giant painting is dedicated to the late South African conceptual painter Samson Mnisi who passed on in 2022, robbing the South Africa society in general and the creative sector in particular of one of the most significant visual voices of his generation. Mnisi died in the same building where the exhibition is on, having owned a studio there.

“Johannesburg’s CBD pulsates with a captivating energy, a testament to the relentless ambitions of its occupants. Towering skyscrapers pierce the sky, a stark contrast to the bustling street markets that hum with the rhythm of daily life. Yet, beneath the city’s vibrant surface lies a deeper current, a rich tapestry woven with ancestral threads and spiritual yearning. This complex reality, with its impact on the human experience, fuels my artistic exploration, particularly through the lens of my Xhosa and Swati heritage.

Through staged photographs and mixed media works, I explore the city’s frenetic energy alongside the undercurrents of resilience and a yearning for connection that resonate from generations past. Saturated reds and oranges evoke the city’s relentless pace, while muted blues and grays hint at the challenges that lurk beneath the surface. Juxtaposed figures become a metaphor for the search for belonging amidst the urban anonymity, a search that transcends time circumstance. and My exploration extends beyond a single medium. My artwork delves into the intricate connection between the bustling metropolis of Johannesburg and the echoes of its spiritual and ancestral past, a combination of printmaking techniques with acrylic or oil painting to create a layered visual experience.

My artwork is deeply personal, a visual exploration of navigating Johannesburg’s physical, mental, and spiritual spaces, all filtered through the lens of my matriarchal Xhosa heritage. I weave threads of my own experiences and ancestral connection into the scenes, contrasting the city’s relentless stimulation with moments of quiet introspection, a necessity for mental well-being in such a dynamic environment. Ultimately, this work seeks to connect with viewers on a deeper level, prompting them to look beyond the surface and contemplate the complex interplay of ambition, mental state, spirituality, ancestry, and the unique experiences of Johannesburg’s inhabitants,” the artist writes in her Artist Statement accompanying the exhibition.

Mbali’s exhibition titled Fragments of Identity which is curated by Nolan Stevens follow shortly after that of Sifiso Mkhabela in this ongoing programme at the space called Deconstructed.