[2] Zahalka was born to a Jewish Austrian mother and Catholic Czech father.
[3] Zahalka subsequently developed an interest in Australia's migrants and diverse cultures.
[5] Zahalka's artwork revolves around Australian culture,[6] focusing on themes such as gender roles, leisure activities[7] and the conventions of art.
She reflects on the lack of migrants' written documents, images and texts about Australia.
[9] Her residency in 1986–87 at the Künstlerhaus Bethanien [de], Berlin, gave her an opportunity reconnect with her European origins.