Esther Mahlangu is one of South Africa's most globally known visual artists. She has been painting for 78 years and has made a valuable contribution to contemporary art over 7 decades. Many believe that no important Pan African contemporary art collection can't be considered complete without one of her works.

Dr Mahlangu learnt the art of Ndebele mural design from her grandmother and mother at the age of ten. She is however a disruptor and an innovator who has experimented with many mediums and new technologies. She holds four honorary doctorates and numerous prestigious global awards.

Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective launched at the Iziko South African National Gallery, Cape Town, in Feb 2024 and is currently touring museums. In 1991 Esther Mahlangu became the first woman and first African to be invited to participate in the BMW Art Car Collection. Also this year, Dr Mahlangu’s work will be at the Brooklyn Museum in Giants, works from Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys Collection. Her work will also be included in the 60th International Exhibition at the Venice Biennale and To Weave the Sky: Textile Abstractions from the Jorge M Perez Collection at El Espacio 23, Miami.

Esther Mahlangu will be presented by The Melrose Gallery.