Biography

Katlego C.L. Twala (b. 2000, Gaborone, Botswana) is a contemporary painter based in Gaborone, Botswana. Working primarily with oil on linen and cotton, Twala is known for vibrant figurative portraits that draw from the techniques of the old masters while speaking to a contemporary and universal visual language. She studied at the Swedish Academy of Realist Art and the Barcelona Academy of Art, grounding her practice in strong technical foundations.

Her work explores personal identity and present-day social dynamics through a lens informed by feminist theory and psychology. Influenced by writers like bell hooks, Twala’s paintings often reflect intimate, complex relationships within the context of contemporary Southern Africa. Through the layering of classical realism and current themes, she creates nuanced, emotionally resonant portraits that explore ideas of selfhood, gender, and connection.

She received the New Emergence Art Prize in 2024. Her first art fair was the 2025 Latitudes Art Fair, where she presented a sold-out solo booth with the Banana Club Artist Fund. Following that was a presentation at the FNB Art Joburg Art fair with Everard Read Gallery. These milestones mark her growing presence as an emerging voice in contemporary painting.