For this week’s Five @ Five, we sit down with Mpilwenhle Gwala, a visual artist exploring the intersections of identity, memory and lived experience through his own artistic approach, Morbal Art.

Inspired by the black-and-white patterns of cow skin, his work reflects the contrasts of life, drawing from his upbringing in eMaphephetheni, the influence of family and community, and the role of faith in shaping his perspective.

As he continues to find new ways to tell these stories through his art, we explore the experiences, beliefs and inspirations behind his practice.

1. You describe your work as being deeply rooted in your family, community and personal experiences. What stories from your upbringing in eMaphephetheni have stayed with you and found their way into your art?

Growing up in eMaphephetheni taught me a lot about family, community and resilience. I remember the difficult and happy moments we experienced together, and those memories continue to influence my art. I use my work to reflect on where I come from and the people who helped shape me.

2. You created your own artistic approach, Morbal Art, using the black-and-white patterns of cow skin to represent the different experiences we go through in life. Where did that idea come from?

The idea came from how I see life as a mixture of good and difficult moments. The black-and-white cow-skin pattern became a symbol of those different experiences. For me, it also represents my roots, the challenges I have faced, and the strength I have gained from them.

3. Faith is mentioned as one of the foundations of your practice. How does your faith influence the way you create?

My faith is part of who I am and has always been important in my family. It gives me hope, strength and a different way of looking at life. I think that naturally enters my art and influences the way I express my experiences and the stories I want to share.

4. When someone stands in front of one of your artworks, what do you hope they take away from it?

I hope people feel something personal when they see my work. I want them to think about their own experiences, their families and where they come from. Most importantly, I want my work to give people hope and remind them that difficult moments do not define their whole journey.

5. You’re still at the beginning of your journey as a visual artist. What kind of artist do you want to become, and what stories or ideas are you hoping to explore next?

I want to become an artist whose work connects with people and tells honest stories. I want to keep exploring family, identity, memory and the experiences of growing up. As I grow, I also want to explore new ideas, materials and ways of telling stories through my art.