Esther Mahlangu is the globally acclaimed visual artist and much-loved cultural ambassador of the Ndebele nation. She was born in 1935 and has made a valuable contribution to contemporary art over eight decades. In 1991, Dr Mahlangu became the first woman and first African to be invited to participate in the BMW Art Car Collection. Bettina Korek, the CEO, and Hans Ulrich Obrist, the artistic director of the Serpentine recently said ‘Esther Mahlangu is one of the most important artists of her time’ when they unveiled her mural at the Serpentine in 2024.

The Melrose Gallery/Art of Contemporary Africa, Dr Mahlangu’s exclusive global representative, will present a special feature at the show. This activation includes several of her bright, abstract paintings and vessels for which she has won such global acclaim, a short video interview, and a timeline featuring some of her impressive career highlights.