Isaac Zavale’s work focuses on the social and political issues in Southern Africa seen through the lens of a Mozambican immigrant. He graduated from the Artist Proof Studio in Johannesburg in 2012 and proceeded to co-found the printmaking studio Prints on Paper and the Alphabet Zoo with his artist partner Minenkulu Ngoyi. 

Zavale’s background in mural painting and sign writing is evident in his recent bodies of work which mostly consists of inner city landscapes that depict honest representations of Johannesburg street scenes. His work places a spotlight on how people from all around Africa get to use the space in diverse ways: to create, operate, and take ownership of the space. 

Zavale has participated in numerous exhibitions, both locally and internationally, including If Yesterday Was Tomorrow What Is Today, BODE Projects, Berlin (2020-2021); Joni Ya Milenge, Kalashnikovv Gallery, Johannesburg (2020); and Alphabet Zoo, Fak’ugesi African Digital Innovation Festival, Johannesburg (2019).