Description
Esther Mahlangu (1935 – )
Esther Mahlangu is a South African artist. Esther is globally acclaimed for her bright and bold abstract paintings that are inspired by Ndebele design. She was conferred with an honorary doctorate by the University of Johannesburg, 9 April 2018.
Dr. Esther Mahlangu is a renowned artist celebrated for her vivid geometric paintings, deeply rooted in Ndebele culture. For over seven decades, Mahlangu has worked with large-scale, site-specific installations, a practice she began as a child, learning the art of house painting from her mother and grandmother. Her work, often characterized by bright colors and bold patterns, honours the matrilineal traditions of her heritage, offering a modern interpretation of ancient Ndebele techniques. In 2024 she was honoured with a major retrospective at Iziko South African National Gallery. This October, Serpentine Galleries will unveil Mahlangu’s first public artwork in the UK: a monumental site-specific mural, Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (“I am because you are”), celebrating concepts of community and unity.
