Tschabalala Self is known for her bold and expressive works that often challenge traditional representations of black women. Now it’s her turn to create the digital cover of Nicki Minaj’s December 2023 issue of Vogue. In the issue, Minaj discusses her upcoming fifth studio album, “Pink Friday 2,” which was released on December 8. The painting was based on the photo shoot for the magazine, done by Norman Jean Roy.
Born in 1990, Self quickly emerged as a notable figure in the contemporary art world, with solo exhibitions at the ICA Boston and the Hammer Museum. His unique style, characterized by the combination of painting and textile art, achieved widespread attention with his bold depictions of the body. In 2019, your work Out of the Body (2015) first beat auction expectations when it sold at Christie’s for a remarkable £300,000 ($382,000), five times the high estimate of £60,000 ($76,430).
A year later, another work by Self, princess (2017), broke its auction record, selling at Phillips London in 2020 for £435,000 ($567,414), 118% above its estimate. These auction records highlight the growing demand and appreciation for Self’s unique artistic style, which often incorporates hand-stitched cotton and tulle on canvas, combining traditional painting with textile art.
The London gallery Pilar Corrias currently represents the artist, together with Galerie Eva Presenhuber. His work can be found in the collections of the LUMA Foundation and the Pérez Art Museum in Miami, among others.
Correction: This article has been edited to reflect the current representation of Self’s gallery.
