Sol Mahlatt, born in Zimbabwe, is a multidisciplinary artist whose work explores identity, alienation, and the lived realities of immigration. His practice reflects on “the other” — and the emotional landscapes shaped by displacement, belonging, and cultural duality.

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Working across painting, sculpture, print, and video, Mahlatt builds narratives that echo both his personal journey and the broader experiences of diasporic communities. His work often centers on marginalized immigrant identities, drawing from his own life while speaking to a wider collective truth.

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Through bold compositions, vibrant colour, and strong Southern African influences, he creates visual tension — juxtaposing decay with vitality, struggle with beauty. This balance reflects his belief that life exists between tragedy and joy, constantly seeking equilibrium.

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Identity, in all its facets — sexuality, religion, gender, and cultural belonging — remains a central and recurring motif in his work. Mahlatt is particularly drawn to non-traditional surfaces such as leather, metal, fabric, and glass, often working at large scale to create immersive, confrontational pieces that demand presence.

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Influenced by artists such as Wangechi Mutu, Titus Kaphar, Nick Cave, Kehinde Wiley, Francis Bacon, and Frida Kahlo, his work aims to challenge perception while offering space for reflection.

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“I want the viewer to leave with a deeper awareness of their authentic self. We move through life so quickly that we rarely stop to ask: Who am I? What do I believe? What do I stand for? And how will I contribute during my time here?”

Mahlatt holds a B.F.A in Studio Art from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma, and is currently represented by Africa World Art Gallery in Washington, D.C.

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