via: self
Notes:
Tschabalala Self’s work is a bold and inventive fusion of figuration, abstraction, and material experimentation that challenges traditional representations of the Black female body. Through her use of painted canvas, sewn textiles, and collage, Self constructs dynamic, exaggerated figures whose forms reject rigid ideals of proportion and beauty. Her compositions are often both celebratory and confrontational, embracing bodily presence as a site of power, desire, and complexity. The layering of fabrics—ranging from patterned cloth to repurposed materials—imbues each figure with a tactile, almost sculptural dimension, allowing Self to create a visual language that is at once deeply personal and culturally resonant.
Her process is equally significant in understanding the impact of her work. Self’s practice blends painting, printmaking, and sewing in a way that erases boundaries between fine art and craft, underscoring the value of traditionally feminized labor. Each element is meticulously placed yet carries an intuitive energy, suggesting a push-and-pull between control and spontaneity. This layered methodology mirrors the layered identities her figures embody—constructed from fragments yet fully whole. By integrating textiles reminiscent of domestic and cultural spaces, Self imbues her works with both autobiography and a broader commentary on Black diasporic life, highlighting how personal and collective histories are stitched together.
Conceptually, Self’s work stands out for its capacity to inhabit multiple registers at once—playful and political, intimate and monumental. The scale of her figures often challenges the viewer’s space, demanding recognition while resisting objectification. In doing so, her work reframes narratives about race, gender, and sexuality, positioning the Black female body as a site of agency rather than passive depiction. Self’s ongoing exploration of materiality, identity, and representation positions her as a vital voice in contemporary art, one whose process-driven practice continues to evolve while maintaining a consistent commitment to challenging and expanding the visual canon.
- RJG / AI