In Episode 04 of The Great Women Artists Podcast, Katy Hessel interviews one of the most highly regarded young artists working today, the Harlem-born painter, TSCHABALALA SELF!!

A graduate of the Yale School of Art and a recent participant of the AMAZING Studio Museum Residency, the brilliant Tschabalala is known for her expressive, vibrant and dynamic works of human figure, that combines paint, printmaking, collage and sculpture. With her primary concern centred on the black female body, Self explores subjects around race, gender, and identity through powerful and bold images of women.

In this episode we discuss Tschabalala's beginnings in Harlem, the place that has culturally shaped who she is today and the impact it's had on her work; the artists who continue to inspire her – from Faith Ringgold, Kehinde Wiley and Clementine Hunter; the stories behind the figures and the 'settings' she places them in; her artistic process; interests in the environment that surrounds her characters, in particular the bodega; and her previous and current exhibitions – one of which, "Thigh High" is on right now at Pilar Corrias Gallery in London.

She is SO brilliant and SO interesting, and I couldn't be more honoured to interview someone right at the forefront of their career. She's killing it. ENJOY!!

WORKS / EXHIBITIONS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Bodega Run – 

The Hammer, LA: https://hammer.ucla.edu/exhibitions/2019/hammer-projects-tschabalala-self/

Pila Corrias, London: https://www.pilarcorrias.com/exhibitions/tschabalala-self-bodega-run/

Thigh High – 

Currently on view at Pilar Corrias, until 9 November: https://www.pilarcorrias.com/exhibitions/tschabalala-self/

Tschabalala Self –

Parasol Unit, 2017: https://parasol-unit.org/whats-on/tschabalala-self/

Studio Museum Residency:

https://www.moma.org/calendar/exhibitions/5086

Upcoming exhibitions: ICA Boston – 

https://www.icaboston.org/exhibitions/tschabalala-self-out-body

Artists discussed include:

Faith Ringgold, Mickalene Thomas, Wangechi Mutu, Clementine Hunter

Thank you for listening!! This episode is sponsored by the Affordable Art Fair: @affordableartfairuk

Follow us:

Katy Hessel: @thegreatwomenartists / @katy.hessel

Artwork by @thisisaliceskinner

Sound editing by @_ellieclifford / @_naomiabel

Music by Ben Wetherfield