Born in Barberton, South Africa, Mary Sibande studied at the University of Johannesburg, where she earned a B-Tech degree in Fine Arts. She gained significant recognition for her ability to blend sculpture, photography, and installation to address the complexities of the South African socio-political landscape.

Her practice is centered on the figure of Sophie, a recurring character who serves as a vessel for Sibande to explore themes of race, gender, and class. Through elaborate, Victorian-inspired costumes rendered in vibrant colors, Sibande reclaims the narrative of domestic workers, transforming them into figures of power and agency.

Sibande continues to be a prominent voice in contemporary African art, with her work exhibited in major international institutions. Her multidisciplinary approach remains focused on the intersection of personal history and the broader postcolonial experience.