Field Review | Artist Interview Series
In conversation with
Mpilwenhle Gwala
I Mpilwenhle Gwala- a young, passionate South African visual artist from Inanda, eMaphephetheni, KwaZulu-Natal Born on
October 23,2005. I’m an emerging talent currently my honing craft in the Visual Arts AIR Program at The Bat Centre.
As an emerging visual artist, I had participated in many programs, murals, workshops and exhibitions. I use art as a
medium to share my experiences and family’s journey, healing and encourage others. My focus in my practices is give
encouragement and empowerment to people in different situation.
In my practice my work is influenced by Durban artist Siphephelo Mnguni, predominantly in how he expresses his work
and technique he uses especially in his painting. The tones he uses in his work and realistic expression.
From:
South Africa
Artist Statement
My work has a powerful reflection of my family’s journey, I and our religion. Inspired resilience of my family and community, I use
the symbolism of black and white cow skin to represent the good and bad challenging times we all experience.
This unique symbol also embodies my personal growth and the strength from my roots. The black and white cow
spots talk about the good and bad things that happened in our journeys and it encourage the public with similar
journeys to reflect.
My mission is clear, it is to uplift, motivate and create meaningful connections through my art. Keep an eye out
for my work as I share my stories and inspire other to embrace where they come from.
Tell us about yourself and your artistic background.
My name is Mpilwenhle Gwala, and I am an independent visual artist from South Africa. My artistic practice explores themes of memory, identity, silence, and lived experience through painting and mixed-media works. I am interested in how personal and collective histories shape who we are, and I use symbolic imagery, layered textures, and expressive forms to create works that invite reflection and dialogue.
My journey as an artist has been driven by continuous learning, research, and experimentation. I have participated in international open calls and exhibitions, allowing me to share my work with audiences beyond South Africa while connecting with artists from different cultural backgrounds. Through my practice, I aim to create meaningful visual narratives that encourage viewers to engage with issues of identity, belonging, resilience, and the human experience.
How would you describe your artistic practice?
My artistic practice is research-driven and centered on exploring memory, identity, silence, and the emotional experiences that shape individuals and communities. Working primarily with painting and mixed media, I combine symbolic imagery, layered textures, and expressive mark-making to create works that encourage reflection and conversation.
I see art as a way of asking questions rather than providing fixed answers. Each project begins with observation, research, and personal reflection, allowing me to translate lived experiences into visual narratives that resonate on both a personal and collective level. Through my practice, I hope to create spaces where viewers can reflect on their own stories while engaging with broader social and cultural issues.
What themes or ideas are most important in your work?
The central themes in my work are memory, identity, silence, and lived experience. I am particularly interested in how personal and collective histories influence the way we see ourselves and others. My work explores the emotional and social dimensions of belonging, resilience, migration, and cultural heritage, often encouraging viewers to reflect on their own experiences and the stories that connect us.
I am also drawn to the idea that silence can be a powerful form of communication. Through symbolic imagery, layered textures, and expressive compositions, I create works that invite dialogue about voices that are often unheard or overlooked. Rather than offering definitive answers, I hope my art encourages curiosity, empathy, and meaningful conversations about the complexities of the human experience.
What inspires your creative process?
My greatest inspiration comes from the resilience of my family and the community I grew up in. I have witnessed people face hardship, uncertainty, and social challenges with remarkable strength, dignity, and hope. Their ability to keep moving forward despite difficult circumstances has deeply influenced both my perspective and my artistic practice.
These everyday experiences inspire me to create work that honors perseverance, identity, and the stories that are often overlooked. My creative process begins with observing people, reflecting on lived experiences, and researching the social and cultural contexts that shape them. Through my art, I aim to celebrate resilience while creating space for reflection, dialogue, and connection.
Can you tell us about a recent artwork or project?
One of my recent artwork is titled Can You Hear Us? This piece explores the idea of voices that are often ignored or unheard within families, communities, and society. Through expressive imagery and symbolic elements, I examine how silence can carry stories of pain, resilience, hope, and identity. Rather than speaking for others, the work invites viewers to reflect on whose voices are being overlooked and why.
Creating this artwork allowed me to combine personal reflection with broader social concerns. It reflects my ongoing interest in memory, belonging, and the resilience of people who continue to persevere despite challenges. My hope is that Can You Hear Us? encourages meaningful conversations and inspires viewers to engage with empathy, understanding, and the shared human experience.
What challenges have influenced your development as an artist?
One of the greatest challenges in my development as an artist has been building my practice independently while working with limited resources and opportunities. As an emerging artist from South Africa, accessing exhibition platforms, funding, and international networks has often required persistence, patience, and self-belief. These challenges have taught me to be resourceful and to continuously seek opportunities for growth through research, experimentation, and collaboration.
At the same time, witnessing the resilience of my family and community has profoundly shaped my perspective. Their strength in overcoming adversity has reminded me that challenges can become a source of inspiration rather than limitation. These experiences have not only strengthened my artistic voice but have also reinforced my commitment to creating work that speaks to resilience, identity, hope, and the power of shared human experiences.
What role does art play in your life today?
Art is more than my profession—it is the way I understand, document, and respond to the world around me. It allows me to reflect on my experiences, honor the resilience of my family and community, and transform those stories into visual narratives that can connect with others across different cultures and backgrounds.
Today, art also gives me a sense of purpose and responsibility. Through my practice, I hope to contribute to important conversations about identity, memory, resilience, and belonging while creating work that encourages empathy and reflection. As I continue to grow as an artist, I see art as a lifelong journey of learning, exploration, and meaningful human connection.
What are you currently working on?
I am currently developing a new body of work that continues my exploration of memory, identity, resilience, and lived experience. Inspired by the strength of my family and community, I am creating paintings that examine how personal and collective histories shape who we are and how we connect with one another.
Alongside creating new work, I am also preparing for future exhibitions and international opportunities. My current focus is on expanding my artistic practice through research, experimentation, and the development of works that encourage meaningful dialogue and invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences and shared humanity.
What are your future goals as an artist?
My long-term goal is to establish a sustainable international career while remaining deeply connected to my South African roots. I want to exhibit my work in leading galleries, museums, and biennales around the world, participate in artist residencies, and collaborate with artists, curators, and institutions from different cultural backgrounds. These opportunities will allow me to expand my practice, exchange ideas, and continue growing both creatively and professionally.
Beyond exhibiting my work, I hope to create art that has a lasting impact by giving visibility to stories of resilience, identity, and lived experience. I want my work to inspire meaningful conversations and connect with people across cultures. Ultimately, I aspire to leave a body of work that contributes to contemporary art while encouraging empathy, reflection, and a deeper understanding of our shared humanity.
Where can readers follow your work?
Readers can follow my artistic journey through my social media platforms, where I regularly share new artworks, works in progress, exhibition updates, and insights into my creative process. I enjoy connecting with audiences and fellow artists by sharing the ideas and stories behind my work.
You can follow me on Instagram at @mpilwenhle_gwala
