Mary Sibande
Tanzania/UK | Painting, Installation
Turner Prize-winning artist known for her works that address Black identity and the legacy of slavery.
Exhibitions
Mary Sibande: The Purple Shall Govern
2014 - Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, South Africa
A solo exhibition that explored themes of power, race, and gender through Sibande’s iconic figure, "Sophie," dressed in elaborate Victorian-style dresses, which symbolizes the complex history of domestic workers in South Africa. The exhibition toured internationally, gaining wide recognition.
Long Live the Dead Queen
2010 - Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa
A solo exhibition that introduced Sibande’s alter ego, "Sophie," examining the legacy of apartheid and the role of Black women in South African society through powerful sculptural and photographic works.
Mary Sibande: I Came Apart at the Seams
2019 - Somerset House, London, UK
A solo exhibition that continued to explore the narrative of "Sophie," focusing on themes of decolonization and personal transformation, with Sibande’s work evolving into more abstract, colorful installations that reflect on identity and resistance.
Contemporary African Art Fair
2015 - 1:54, London, UK
Sibande’s work was featured in this international art fair, where her sculptures and installations addressing themes of race, gender, and power dynamics within post-apartheid South Africa were well received by global audiences.
Perseverance
2014 - Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA), Brooklyn, New York, USA
Group exhibition where Sibande’s work was included, focusing on themes of resilience and identity within the African diaspora, with her pieces highlighting the struggles and empowerment of Black women.
Les Recontres de Bamako – African Photography Biennale
2017 - Bamako, Mali
Group exhibition where Sibande’s photographic works were showcased, contributing to the dialogue on contemporary African photography and the role of visual storytelling in addressing historical and social issues.