Esther Mahlangu facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Esther Mahlangu
ndebele+xhosa
Dr. Esther Mahlangu signs a recently completed work.
Born	Esther Nikwambi Mahlangu (1935-11-11) 11 November 1935 (age 89) Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Style	Ndebele house painting

The entrance gate to Esther Mahlangu's home, showing Ndebele art.

Esther Mahlangu, born on November 11, 1935, is a famous artist from South Africa. She is known for her big, colorful paintings that show off her Ndebele heritage. Many people consider her one of South Africa's most important artists.

Esther Mahlangu's Early Life

Esther Nikwambi Mahlangu was born on November 11, 1935. Her family lived on a farm near Middelburg, Mpumalanga, in South Africa. She belongs to the Ndebele people.

Esther started painting when she was just 10 years old. Her mother and grandmother taught her how to paint murals. This was a special tradition for Ndebele women and girls. They would paint the outside of their homes with beautiful designs. This is how Esther first began her amazing art journey.

Esther Mahlangu's Artistic Journey

Mahlangu's art uses patterns found in the clothing and jewelry of the Ndebele people. These patterns are usually very colorful and made of geometric shapes. Her paintings are often very large.

Esther Mahlangu used brushes made from chicken feathers for her work. She is famous for taking traditional Ndebele mural art, usually painted on mud walls, and putting it onto new surfaces. She painted on canvas and even metal. Her special style includes white lines set diagonally or shaped like chevrons. She even signs her beadwork with her initials, "E M".

International Recognition

Esther Mahlangu first became known around the world in 1989. This was at a French art show called "Magicians of the World."

In 1991, a famous car company, BMW, asked her to paint one of their cars. Other famous artists like Andy Warhol had done this before. Esther's car, a BMW 525i, was the first "African Art Car." She painted it with typical Ndebele designs. This car was shown in museums in Washington, DC and London.

Ndebele Art and Traditions

Mahlangu follows a special tradition where painting skills are passed down through families. In the past, only women taught and learned this type of painting. These paintings are closely linked to the tradition of decorating houses for a special event. This event is when boys become men.

To celebrate this, women completely repaint their homes, both inside and out. They use a mix of cow dung and natural colors. Bright acrylic paints are also used to create designs outlined with black lines. Even though they look simple, the geometric shapes in these paintings are quite complex. They use constant repetition and symmetry.

Art Across Different Objects

Esther Mahlangu's art shows how local traditions can become global. She keeps using her traditional "artistic language." But she has put these designs on many different objects. These include canvas, sculptures, pottery, cars, and even airplanes.

She has also worked with many well-known brands. Some of these include BMW, Fiat, and Rolls-Royce. Her art has been shown in major private collections and museums around the world. Even with all her international fame, Esther Mahlangu still lives in her village. She stays connected to her culture.

Esther Mahlangu Today

Esther Mahlangu's 1991 BMW Art Car was displayed at the British Museum in London. This was part of an exhibition called 'South Africa: the art of a nation'.

She also designed special wooden trims for the new BMW Individual 7 series car. These were shown at an art fair in 2016. She even designed a special bottle for Belvedere Vodka. Part of the money from these bottles helps fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. In 2014, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts asked her to create two large artworks.

Esther Mahlangu runs a school where she teaches young girls. They learn not only painting but also how to make designs on beads. She believes that traditions can grow and change. Esther Mahlangu has worked hard to share her talent around the world. She is very passionate about teaching younger generations. She wants her art and knowledge to live on for many years.

Awards and Honors

• She received the Order of Ikhamanga in silver in 2006. This is a high honor in South Africa.
• In 2019, she received the first United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) South Africa NGO and Multi-Stakeholder Award.
• The University of Johannesburg gave her an honorary doctorate in 2018. This means she earned a special degree without studying there.
• In 2024, the University of South Africa also honored her.

Images for kids

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  Mahlangu's BMW Art Car, painted with Ndebele designs.

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  The Great Court at the British Museum, where Mahlangu's art has been displayed.