Silence Speaks 7

Andrew Ntshabele

Andrew Ntshabele (b. 1986) lives and works in the inner city of Johannesburg. His practice is deeply informed by his environment, observing the world around him with a critical and attentive eye. Working in mixed media, a fusion of collage and acrylic, his paintings reflect both his daily experiences and a broader historical and social consciousness. Born in Moruleng in South Africa’s North West Province, Ntshabele moved to Johannesburg at a young age. He studied at the University of Johannesburg, where he completed his BTech degree in Fine Art, majoring in painting, in 2013. Having lived in the city since early childhood, he has witnessed its physical, socio-economic and political transformation in the post-apartheid era, engaging closely with the realities of inner-city life. Ntshabele’s work investigates the complexities of the urban condition, addressing the socio-economic challenges faced by many Black South Africans. His paintings are constructed from photographs taken during his daily movements through Johannesburg, layered with archival materials such as colonial maps, stamps, newspaper fragments, musical scores, poetry, and historical imagery. These elements form richly textured compositions that merge past and present. Recurring motifs, particularly the figures of the Black child and the Black mother, are placed within these layered environments, drawing attention to histories of marginalisation and absence. By engaging with archival material, Ntshabele creates space for narratives that have been overlooked or excluded, offering a nuanced reflection on colonialism, apartheid, and their lasting impact on identity. His work can be understood as a form of visual reinscription: through figurative painting, he repositions Black presence within historical narratives from which it has often been erased. At the same time, his practice carries a sense of quiet resilience and possibility, connecting past, present and future in a continuous dialogue. Andrew Ntshabele has presented his work internationally, including solo exhibitions Children of the Dream (Johannesburg, 2024) and The Silent Companions (Paris, 2024). His work was also shown at Scope Art Show, Miami (2024), and featured in the digital exhibition Holding Isihawu on Artsy (2025). He has been part of The Travelling Art Gallery since its inception, with a solo show in 2022 (Berlin) and participating in exhibitions across Europe In Cape Town he is represented in Cape Town by The Artists Gallery.