Ben Uri Research Unit

Born: 1995 Harare, Zimbabwe

Year of Migration to the UK: 2006

Biography

Artist Natasha Muluswela was born in Harare, Zimbabwe on 15 February 1995, moving to London in 2006 to join her mother who was then living in England. Largely self-taught, she took an early interest in drawing during her A-levels. Later, she studied French and Spanish at Nottingham University, graduating in 2017. With meticulous pencil sketches, Muluswela explores themes of body positivity, challenging the sexualisation of the female form and confronting the white gaze. Her artwork discusses significant socio-political topics, highlighting issues such as racism and the discrimination faced by Black individuals. She investigates what it means for Africans to claim their place in a dominantly Eurocentric world, away from the Diaspora.

In her portraits and body drawings, Muluswela emphasises the unique beauty in every individual, challenging conventional standards. By featuring attributes such as vitiligo, stretch marks, and ageism, her work promotes the acceptance of natural body diversity. In a culture where certain physical traits might be stigmatised, Muluswela aims to celebrate these natural aspects as integral and beautiful elements of humanity. Through her artwork, she conveys that what society often labels as ‘imperfections’ are sources of strength and empowerment. One of her celebrated pieces, Challenge the Conventions, depicts a plus-size Black woman positioned with her back to the viewer. While graphite forms the base of her creations, she also incorporates colours, often informed by the subject itself. British-Nigerian artist Kelvin Okafor, known for his hyper-realistic pencil portraits, was among Muluswela’s influences. Specifically, she employs Okafor's method of segmenting images and then developing them (Let's Talk Creatives podcast).

In 2021, Muluswela showcased her work at the Collective Processes exhibition at Gucci Circolo Shoreditch, which highlighted the creativity of Black female artists across diverse mediums including photography, sculpture and painting. The following year, she was among the artists selected to take part in The World Reimagined, part of a national initiative that displayed over 100 globes across seven UK cities. This project aimed to shed light on the Transatlantic Slave Trade, spurring on discussions on racial justice. Muluswela created two globes in Leicester and London, now permanently located at Victoria Park and Guildhall, respectively. The Leicester globe, titled Movers of the Past and Shakers of Tomorrow, drew inspiration from discussions she had in London about influential Black figures advocating for racial justice. Her globe prominently featured contemporary icons such as Michaela Cole, Marcus Rashford, Nelson Mandela, and Maya Angelou. Other group exhibitions have included Expressions of Freedom, a Black Women Art Network exhibition at Matthews Yard Croydon (2021) and Saatchi Art’s The Other Art Fair (2023), where she was one of the winners of the Fair’s New Futures initiative (2023). In the same year, her work was showcased in Time, Labour, Process, an exhibition at Unit 1 Gallery Workshop in London, presenting work from Acme's Alternative Pathway Awards recipients, including Dita Hashi, Elora Kadir, and herself. This project, supported by the Genesis Kickstart Fund and the Genesis Foundation, offered these artists the necessary resources to hone their craft, culminating in this collective showcase. Their artworks engaged with a range of topics including labour, uprising, and migration. Muluswela was also one of the curators of The Playground (2023), a group exhibition at the House of African Art (HAART) in London, examining the essence of childhood through the distinct lenses of five visual artists: Azael Langa, Lerato Motaung, Lindokuhle Khumalo, Olamide Ogunade, and Qhamanande Maswana. Muluswela is associated with the Doré Art Collective LLC, an online platform dedicated to nurturing emerging artists and broadening their exposure. Her work is not currently represented in UK public collections.

Related organisations

Acme's Alternative Pathway Award (recipient)
Nottingham University (student)

Selected exhibitions

Portrait of a Top Boy, group exhibition, Somerset House, London (2023)
Time, Labour, Process: Dita Hashi, Elora Kadir and Natasha Muluswela, Unit 1 Gallery, London (2023)
The Other Art Fair, organised by Saatchi Art, London (2023)
Bridewell Studios & Gallery, SHE, Liverpool (2023)
Expressions of Freedom, Black Women Art Network Exhibition, Matthews Yard, Croydon (2021)
Threshold, group exhibition, D Contemporary Gallery, London (2021)
Kachette, group exhibition, Artistry Unlocked, London (2021)
Home presents Collective Processes at Gucci, Gucci Circolo Space, London (2021)
AJOYO, group exhibition, Deptford Does Art, London (2020)
Project X BHM 2019, group exhibition, King's College, London (2019)
Unseen & Unspoken, group exhibition, hARTslane, London (2019)
African Art Shared, group exhibition, Nexus Creative, London (2019)
Africa Week, Dalston, London (2019)
Positive Masculinity, group exhibition, New Wave Studios, London (2019)
Collection d’Ar, group exhibition, NuDwan London (2019)
Black History Month, Uber, London (2019)
African Art Shared, Nexus Creative, London (2019)
A Celebration of Difference, group exhibition, Nolias Gallery, London (2018)
BAME Freedom Festival, Africa Centre, London (2018)

Ben Uri archive

Consult items in the Ben Uri archive related to [Natasha Muluswela]

Ben Uri Research Unit

for the study and digital recording of the Jewish, Refugee and wide Immigrant contribution to British visual culture since 1900.

Natasha Muluswela artist