Born in South Africa, Lungiswa Gqunta developed her artistic practice through formal education at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and the University of Cape Town. Her work emerged as a significant voice in contemporary African art, focusing on the material remnants of colonial structures and the ongoing impact of historical displacement.

Gqunta is recognized for her use of unconventional materials to evoke tension and resistance. Her installations often incorporate elements like petrol-soaked fabric and broken glass, which serve as metaphors for the volatility of land politics and the fragility of domestic spaces within the South African context.

Her work has been featured in major institutional settings, including the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa and the Johannesburg Art Gallery. She continues to gain international visibility through exhibitions at venues such as Kunsthal Zurich, where her practice is noted for its rigorous engagement with post-colonial narratives.