MUNTHE ART MONDAY: YOLANDA MAZWANA

Please introduce yourself and tell us about what you do

I’m Yolanda Mazwana, a self-taught painter based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Could you explain more about how being a woman has affected your career?

Navigating my career as a black woman has been challenging, yet it holds immense value and validation in my artistic journey. In a country where black South African artists are widely championed and supported.

Yolanda is wearing Loke dress and Lussima blazer.

Can you name some other female (artist) that inspires you and explain why they do so?

I draw inspiration from remarkable figures like Theresa Anne Mackintosh and Portia Zvavahera. These artists convey profound imagination and emotions through their work, using astonishing colours and forms that deeply resonate with me.

Yolanda is wearing Loke dress and Lussima blazer.

Yolanda is wearing Bobula dress.

What has been the most challenging aspect of being a woman in the arts?

One of the most challenging aspects of my art is advocating for women’s health. I address this important yet sensitive subject, in hopes that my work connects to an audience that can relate and thereby offer support.

What would you like people to notice in your artwork?

My artistic expression is rooted in seeking solidarity, empathy, and creative exploration. Each piece is a journey, a point of reference where I delve into emotions and thoughts, painting from a place of deep connection.