b. 1969, Barberton, Mpumalanga; d. 2012.
Mandla Mabila’s allegorical self-portraits drew from childhood experiences and memories, and raised issues around disability.
Mandla Mabilia. Bringing up Baby: Artists survey the reproductive body. Terry Kurgan. 1998
Arts Education
1993 - 1997: Bachelor of Art (BA), Fine Art, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
Solo Exhibitions (South Africa)
2008: Mentors of excellence, Disability Lifestyle Expo, Nasrec, Johannesburg.
2001: From where I’m sitting, Standard Bank Art Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Brushstrokes, Bill Ainslie Gallery, Johannesburg.
2001: From where I’m sitting, Standard Bank Art Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Brushstrokes, Bill Ainslie Gallery, Johannesburg.
Group Exhibitions (South Africa)
2007: Soul of Africa, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Johannesburg.
2006: Turn the table, ArtSpace, Johannesburg.
2006: Traditional values – Innovative ideas, Rand Merchant Bank, Johannesburg.
2006: Artists in conversation, Wits Art Galleries, Johannesburg.
2005: Artists in conversation, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria.
2002: Beyond barriers, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg.
2002: Perceptions, ArtSpace, Johannesburg.
2001: Friends of the Standard Bank Gallery, Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Weft & Warp, Johannesburg Civic Art Gallery, Johannesburg. 2000: Artichoke, Sandton Civic Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Mnemosyne, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
2000: Disability Renaissance, (with Tommy Motswai and Elvis Ntombela), BAT Centre, Durban.
2000: Visions of the future – World’s largest canvas interactive exhibition participation, Johannesburg Civic Art Gallery, Johannesburg. 2000: Transgressing normalcy, Bela Bela Township, Warmbaths.
1998: Bringing up baby: artists survey the reproductive body, Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Grahamstown; Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town; Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg.
1998: Family ties, Sandton Civic Gallery, Johannesburg.
1997: Fifty stories, Carlton Centre, Johannesburg.
1997: Martinessen Prize, Gertrude Posel Gallery, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1996: Martinessen Prize, Gertrude Posel Gallery, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1991: Student show, State theatre, Pretoria.
2006: Turn the table, ArtSpace, Johannesburg.
2006: Traditional values – Innovative ideas, Rand Merchant Bank, Johannesburg.
2006: Artists in conversation, Wits Art Galleries, Johannesburg.
2005: Artists in conversation, Pretoria Art Museum, Pretoria.
2002: Beyond barriers, Johannesburg Art Gallery, Johannesburg.
2002: Perceptions, ArtSpace, Johannesburg.
2001: Friends of the Standard Bank Gallery, Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Weft & Warp, Johannesburg Civic Art Gallery, Johannesburg. 2000: Artichoke, Sandton Civic Gallery, Johannesburg.
2000: Mnemosyne, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
2000: Disability Renaissance, (with Tommy Motswai and Elvis Ntombela), BAT Centre, Durban.
2000: Visions of the future – World’s largest canvas interactive exhibition participation, Johannesburg Civic Art Gallery, Johannesburg. 2000: Transgressing normalcy, Bela Bela Township, Warmbaths.
1998: Bringing up baby: artists survey the reproductive body, Standard Bank National Arts Festival, Grahamstown; Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town; Standard Bank Gallery, Johannesburg.
1998: Family ties, Sandton Civic Gallery, Johannesburg.
1997: Fifty stories, Carlton Centre, Johannesburg.
1997: Martinessen Prize, Gertrude Posel Gallery, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1996: Martinessen Prize, Gertrude Posel Gallery, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1991: Student show, State theatre, Pretoria.
Group Exhibitions (International)
1999: Art and Soul Festival, Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.
Publications (illustrations)
2009: Kobus Moolman (ed.), Tilling the Hard Soil, University of KwaZulu-Natal Press, Durban.
Publications (reviews & catalogues)
2008: Sabine Marschall, Transforming symbolic identity: Wall art and the South African identity, 'African Arts', Summer vol: 21.
2001: Shelley Barry, Politicising disability through arts and culture: an interview with Mandla Mabila, Disabilty World vol 9.
2001: Michael Coulson, Financial Mail, September 7.
2001: Kathryn Smith, Art Bio:Mandla Mabila, Artthrob, September
1998: Terry Kurgan, Bringing up baby: artists survey the reproductive body, Cape Town.
2001: Shelley Barry, Politicising disability through arts and culture: an interview with Mandla Mabila, Disabilty World vol 9.
2001: Michael Coulson, Financial Mail, September 7.
2001: Kathryn Smith, Art Bio:Mandla Mabila, Artthrob, September
1998: Terry Kurgan, Bringing up baby: artists survey the reproductive body, Cape Town.
Awards
2008: Mentors of Excellence Award, Nasrec, Johannesburg.
2008: South African Disabled Musicians Association Award, Diepkloof Hall, Soweto.
2005: Nomination, Brett Kebble Awards, Cape Town.
2000: National winner, UBS Art Award, Camouflage Art, Johannesburg.
1998 - 1999: Postgraduate Merit Award, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1997: Top Achievers Award for disabled students, Coca Cola Wits Foundation, Johannesburg.
2008: South African Disabled Musicians Association Award, Diepkloof Hall, Soweto.
2005: Nomination, Brett Kebble Awards, Cape Town.
2000: National winner, UBS Art Award, Camouflage Art, Johannesburg.
1998 - 1999: Postgraduate Merit Award, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1997: Top Achievers Award for disabled students, Coca Cola Wits Foundation, Johannesburg.
Collections
Gauteng Legislature.
Telkom South Africa.
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Telkom South Africa.
South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).
Other
2008 - 2011: Standard generating bodies and national qualification framework specialist, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2007: Acting skills planning and Projects manager, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2005: Implementation co-ordiantor, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2004: Regional Coordinator, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2002 - 2003: Information and disability coordinator, Create South Africa, Johannesburg.
2002: Painting tutor, Wits School of Arts, Fine Art Department, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
2001: Assistant graphic design, Computer and Network Services, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1998: Drawing research assistant, Rock Art Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1997: Research assistant, Disabled Student Programme; People awareness of disability issues, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1997: Assistant designer, International Association of Art Critics, Johannesburg.
1996: Student assistant, Central Admissions Office, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
2007: Acting skills planning and Projects manager, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2005: Implementation co-ordiantor, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2004: Regional Coordinator, MAPPP-SETA, Johannesburg.
2002 - 2003: Information and disability coordinator, Create South Africa, Johannesburg.
2002: Painting tutor, Wits School of Arts, Fine Art Department, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
2001: Assistant graphic design, Computer and Network Services, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1998: Drawing research assistant, Rock Art Research Unit, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1997: Research assistant, Disabled Student Programme; People awareness of disability issues, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
1997: Assistant designer, International Association of Art Critics, Johannesburg.
1996: Student assistant, Central Admissions Office, University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.
