Esther Mahlangu, 1935

Esther Mahlangu is part of the Ndebele community in the Gauteng region, north of Pretoria. Unlike many other South African groups, the Ndebele have preserved their centuries-old ancestral traditions.

Despite being a patriarchal society, artistic heritage is passed from mother to daughter. When a young woman reaches puberty, she withdraws from male society for three months to learn the ceremonial patterns of Ndebele beadwork — a tradition that, in the nineteenth century, expanded to include decorative wall paintings executed exclusively by Ndebele women.

Mahlangu is one of the most important contemporary proponents of this tradition. She draws freehand, without measuring or sketching, using luminous, high-contrast vinyl paints that give extraordinary vibrancy to her murals. While seemingly abstract, her compositions are built on a sophisticated system of signs and symbols.

She is the first Ndebele artist to transpose wall paintings onto canvas and bring this visual language into the global art world. In 1989, she traveled to Paris to create murals for the landmark exhibition *Magiciens de la Terre*. She later produced commissioned works for public buildings such as the Civic Theater of Johannesburg, as well as for museums, BMW, and Comme des Garçons.

Through these projects, Mahlangu has brought Ndebele art to international prominence. She has said: “My mother and grandmother taught me to paint when I was ten years old. I have been busy with it ever since and have always liked it. When I am painting my heart is very wide, it reaches out. It makes me feel very, very happy.”

source: CAAC

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