Esther Mahlangu

Esther Mahlangu was born in the heart of South Africa, in the Ndebele nation, in 1935, Mahlangu represents an unfettered celebration of African Art in its most contemporary and expressive form. With her bold, large-scale painting, she has found a unique way of encapsulating the visual richness of her Ndebele heritage.

Her art is a vibrant pastiche of patterns inspired by Ndebele clothing and jewelry, engaging in an intimate dialogue with the observer. The generous use of geometric shapes, rendered in an array of colors that would put a rainbow to shame, is a typical characteristic of her work. Each pattern, each color is a symbol, a signifier of a culture that is alive, thriving, and evolving.

Mahlangu's trajectory to international acclaim is as intriguing as it is inspiring. Her first taste of widespread recognition came in 1989, at a European art exposition titled “Magiciens de la Terre" (Magicians of the World). The exposition, was a revelation to the European audience, who found themselves entranced by Mahlangu's unique style and expression. In 1991, Mahlangu received an opportunity that further solidified her place in the global art scene. BMW, known for commissioning renowned artists to create unique “Art Cars," extended an invitation to her. This vibrant automobile was later exhibited at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC, in 1994, and at the British Museum, London in 2017, further propelling Mahlangu's name into the annals of art history.