Contemporary art has seen a rise in the representation of Black women in recent years, with artists like Zandile Tshabalala pushing the boundaries of traditional narratives and challenging societal perceptions of Black women. 

Tshabalala's arresting figurative works write new narratives around the roles that Black women play in art history. Her use of acrylic and oil paints, and her focus on topics of representation, beauty, and sensuality, make her work stand out in the contemporary art world.

Tshabalala's work is inspired by a variety of artists, including Kerry James Marshall, Henri Rousseau, and Njideka Akunyili-Crosby. However, it is also informed by her own personal experiences and the way she has observed Black women being represented in art throughout history. 

The artist noticed a pattern in traditional paintings whereby Black women were usually placed in the background, often fading into it as if they were not present, or were placed in compromising situations that reinforced the idea of Black women as inferior and marginalised.

This is something that Tshabalala feels strongly about, and she has made it her mission to challenge these ideas and give back the Black woman's voice in her paintings. She does this by placing the black female figure in powerful positions, allowing them to be in control of their own bodies and the gaze that is exchanged between them and the viewer. 

This is a deliberate attempt to insert Black women into the canon of art that has previously excluded, marginalised, and disrespected them.

Tshabalala's use of acrylic and oil paints, and the addition of some sculptural elements, creates a unique visual language that is both striking and thought-provoking. She often references the works of painters who came before her, interpreting or reworking them in a way that is true to her own narrative and practice. 

This approach allows her to pay homage to the past while also pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable in contemporary art.

The representation of Black women in contemporary art is a vital and ongoing conversation, and artists like Tshabalala are playing a crucial role in shaping the narrative. Her use of powerful imagery and her focus on representation, beauty, and sensuality create a new, more nuanced understanding of the black female experience. 

Her work challenges traditional notions of beauty and representation, and provides an important perspective on the black female body and its relationship to the landscape.

However, the representation of Black culture and black bodies in contemporary art is not without its challenges. The issue of cultural appropriation, where elements of a culture are taken and used without proper understanding or acknowledgement, is a sensitive one. 

As more and more artists of colour are given a platform to showcase their work, it is important to be mindful of the ways in which their cultures and experiences are being represented. 

In this sense, Tshabalala's work, which is rooted in her own experiences and perspectives as a Black woman, is an important reminder of the importance of authenticity and representation in contemporary art.

Zandile Tshabalala's work is an important contribution to the contemporary art world, and her focus on the representation of Black women is something that is desperately needed in today's society. 

She challenges traditional notions of beauty and representation, and provides an important perspective on the Black female body and its relationship to the landscape. 

Her work is a reminder of the importance of authenticity and representation in contemporary art, and the need to be mindful of the ways in which different cultures and experiences are being represented. 

Tshabalala's work is a powerful reminder of the need to give voice to marginalised communities and to challenge the status quo. Having been acquainted with Zandile, I have complete faith that the future of authentic and progressive representation of Black women in art is in capable hands. 

We return next week with another ‘Visionaries in Focus’ story.