Bathembu Ntsibaphi, also known as Tilla, is a multidisciplinary artist from Motherwell, Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). Deeply influenced by his surroundings and community, his work explores themes of identity, youth, and urban life through expressive, emotional, and often abstract portraiture. Bathembu’s artistic journey is shaped by both personal experience and environment.
But Tilla’s story extends beyond the canvas. In Gqeberha, he became a cultural builder and producer, known not only for his art but also for his role in shaping the city’s creative scene. Through his long-standing presence in the second-hand clothing space, he introduced a generation to thrift culture and used clothing as a tool for connection and expression. His initiative, Thrift Picnic, grew into a collective of creatives across disciplines, breathing new life into the cultural landscape of Port Elizabeth.
Now, Tilla has made the bold move to Johannesburg — stepping onto a larger stage where he continues to merge art, culture, and community, while seeking to expand both his reach and his practice.
The Interview
Interviewer: When you think back to Port Elizabeth, what does that chapter represent in your journey?
Tilla: For me, PE gave me everything. It was the foundation of my practice — the place where I learned to express myself as an artist. By the time I left, it wasn’t easy, but it was comfortable, because I already knew how to work, how to put myself out there. Moving to Joburg wasn’t about starting over — it was about leveling up.
Interviewer: At what point did you feel like you had outgrown PE?
Tilla: I felt it when I hit the ceiling. There’s a point where a place can no longer stretch you. PE shaped me, but I knew I couldn’t grow there forever. I had to be in a city where art is alive, where it can sustain you, where people really live it. For me, that was Johannesburg. It wasn’t about abandoning PE, but about being seen on a bigger stage.
Interviewer: And when you first came to Joburg, was the decision to stay immediate?
Tilla: (laughs) Not at all. I came here with a backpack and no clear plan. At first, it was just a trip — but once I felt the energy, I knew I wasn’t going back. I told my brother, “I’m not returning to PE,” and he said, “Go for it.” From there, it was just about finding a way, crashing where I could, figuring things out step by step.
Interviewer: Your work often touches on the theme of stillness — not just physical, but internal. How do you experience movement that doesn’t require action?
Tilla: For me, it’s about mental and emotional motion, even when the body is still. Some people call it meditation, but I see it as a way of living. I sit back, observe, and calculate my moves before acting. Growing up, I didn’t understand why I was like that — everyone around me was fast, always moving. But I learned that this is who I am: I move inwardly first, then outwardly.
Interviewer: Do you think that stillness can be a more radical form of progress than constant motion?
Tilla: Yes — but it has to be balanced. If you’re always still, you risk being trapped in your own thoughts. If you’re always in motion, you never reflect. I think true progress is knowing when to pause and when to move.
Interviewer: What role does reflection play in shaping your next steps as an artist?
Tilla: Reflection is everything. It keeps me connected to my roots and reminds me why I’m doing this. Sometimes I look back and see how far I’ve come, and that gives me the energy to keep going. Reflection is what makes the journey meaningful.
Interviewer: You were also a part of building culture in PE through events like Picnic. What did that experience mean to you?
Tilla: Thrift Picnic was powerful. We were just a group of young creatives trying to solve problems in our community, trying to create spaces for expression. It wasn’t just an event — it became a cultural movement. We were painters, photographers, musicians, designers, all bringing our skills together. That experience taught me the importance of community and collaboration.
Interviewer: And now, as you continue your journey in Johannesburg, what are you preparing yourself for?
Tilla: Honestly, I’m preparing myself for the industry — the good and the bad. Joburg is a city of opportunities, but it’s also a city of lost souls. You can find yourself here, or you can lose yourself. I’m learning how to navigate that balance — how to stay true to who I am, protect my energy, and not get swallowed by the noise.
Interviewer: If you could write a note to your younger self back in PE, what would you say?
Tilla: I’d tell him: don’t be afraid to take risks. Step out of your comfort zone earlier. Go to Cape Town, go to Joburg — even if you don’t know what you’re going to do there. Just being in those spaces will inspire you. And don’t care too much about what people think. Whatever you feel is valid.
——
Tilla’s story is one of courage, resilience, and deep self-awareness. From his beginnings in Gqeberha to his current life in Johannesburg, he has consistently embraced both stillness and movement as guiding forces. His reflections remind us that growth often requires leaving comfort zones, that community shapes culture, and that stillness — far from being passive — can be one of the most radical acts of progress.
As Tilla continues to create and navigate the complexities of the industry, his journey stands as a testament to the power of self-determination and the endless pursuit of becoming.