‘A Retrospective’ – An ode to the resilient career of South Africa’s most beloved and enduring artists.
The latest body of work at the Iziko Museum showcases the resilient journey of one of South Africa’s most prominent and beloved artists, Dr. Esther Mahlangu. Curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, the show is a love letter constituted through 70 years of work, determination and creativity, marking a rare opportunity for South Africa to holistically celebrate one of its own. The title of the show “Then I Knew I Was Good At Painting”, ‘A Retrospective’, brings together work that has not had its due time on the continent, with over 90% of the show sourced from international collections. The exhibition signals an enduring landmark in African art history, celebrating her disruption of the Western art world with her signature vivacious painting style and resolute dedication to Ndebele culture and heritage. To see such an extensive body of Dr. Esther Mahlangu’s work is a testament to the lasting gift of her craft.
Being recognised at home is such a blessing. It shows that my people still see the great work that I do. It’s good to be honoured while I am still alive.”
Born in 1935 in Mpumalanga, South Africa, she began painting at 10 years old, learning the art of mural making from her mother and grandmother in line with Ndebele tradition of women painting the exterior of their houses. “I started drawing on the back of the house, and slowly, my drawings got better and better until they finally asked me to come back to the front of the house. Then I knew I was good at painting.” A model recreation of the original house is featured in the exhibition, giving a holistic look at what started the artistic journey of what would become an international career. As the exhibition goes on, the bold colour and geometric patterns that root Mahlangu’s signature style move away from traditional surfaces – shoes, a vintage cartoon-like TV, a skateboard and finally, perhaps most exciting of them all, the BMW 525i, which she was commissioned to create in 1991. This retrospective show is the first time since 1991 that ‘The Art Car’ has returned to African soil, an extraordinary feat and a poignant moment in South African history for an artist of such steadfast heritage. She is a mirror of a community’s courage and appreciation, travelling the world for her art, but never leaving home far behind.
Education is a passion of Mahlangu’s, a room curated to walk you through her career from 1989 to 2023 showcases the durability and vast impact of her work, not just in South Africa but across the globe. Mahlangu’s focal point comes from tradition but she has been unapologetically willing to modernise her techniques.
I still include the old traditional painting style in some of my works just to acknowledge the people who were there before me. As more and more colours become available I like to use them in my work as it makes it different from other traditional Ndebele works”.
Through the playful language of colour, the exhibition charts the huge and lasting contribution of Mahlangu to contemporary art. With over 100 artworks loaned from international collections, it is a comprehensive and intimate insight into the vibrancy and joy her work has gifted the world.
