Biography

Isaac Zavale is a Mozambican fine artist and street artist born in 1988 in Maputo, Mozambique. He currently resides between two cities, Johannesburg and Berlin. Zavale’s artistic journey began when he graduated from the Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg in 2012. Subsequently, he co-founded the printmaking studio Prints on Paper (POP) and initiated the Alphabet Zoo zine and printmaking workshops alongside his artistic partner, Minenkulu Ngoyi.

Zavale’s artistic focus centers on social and political issues in Southern Africa, offering a perspective rooted in his experience as a Mozambican immigrant. Drawing from his background in mural painting and sign-writing, his recent works primarily feature inner-city landscapes that candidly represent Johannesburg street scenes. Through his art, Zavale sheds light on the diverse ways people from all over Africa utilize urban spaces, emphasizing their creativity, operations, and ownership of the space.

Isaac Zavale has actively participated in numerous exhibitions, showcasing his art locally and internationally. Some notable exhibitions include “If Yesterday Was Tomorrow What Is Today” at BODE Projects in Berlin (2020-2021), “Joni Ya Milenge” at Kalashnikovv Gallery in Johannesburg (2020), “Alphabet Zoo” at Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival in Johannesburg (2019), and “GRAFIKAMA (Service Peinture) Exposition Collective” in Nantes, France (2016). Through these exhibitions, Zavale contributes to the global art scene by sharing his unique perspective on the social and cultural dynamics of Southern Africa.