Dr Esther Mahlangu has been presented with an Honorary Doctorate from the Tshwane University of Technology for her contribution to preserving cultural art.
Johannesburg, South Africa (27 October 2022) – Dr Esther Mahlangu has a busy schedule leading up to her 87th birthday this coming November. Over the weekend, she was presented with an honorary doctorate by the Tshwane University of Technology and she has a new solo exhibit in honour of her 87th birthday.
This is her third honorary doctorate, the others having been presented by the University of Johannesburg and the Durban University of Technology.
Dr Mahlangu was one of four recipients of an honorary doctorate over the weekend. She joined the likes of performing artist, Yvonne Chaka Chaka; fashion designer, David Tlale; and businessman, Michael Nkuna who were all honoured at the event.
Mahlangu was awarded the degree of Doctor of Arts and Design (Honoris Causa) in the Faculty of Arts and Design in recognition of capturing the imagination of the world with her unique Ndebele art, and for her tireless efforts to ensure that this art form, with its rich history, is preserved for future generations.
“I’m happy today that I’m also wearing red attire, and I’m honoured. I’m truly grateful for what you have done for me. I have caught up with you who have walked this path before me.” – Dr Esther Mahlangu
Her art and her history.
Dr Mahlangu was born on 11 November 1935 in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, South Africa, and belongs to the South Ndebele people. Mahlangu began painting at ten years of age and was taught the skill of mural painting by her mother and grandmother, following a tradition of her native South Ndebele people for females to paint the exterior of houses. It is in this cultural tradition that Mahlangu began her artistic journey.
Mahlangu first gained international attention in 1989 at a European art exposition titled Magiciens de la terre (Magicians of the World). Later in 1991, she was commissioned by BMW to create an art car, as other BMW Art Car creators had done before (including Andy Warhol, David Hockney and Frank Stella). The car, a BMW 525i, was the first “African Art Car” and was painted with typical motifs of the Ndebele tribe.
She was the first non-Western person and female to design one of these art cars.
The car was later exhibited at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC in 1994. Between 1980 and 1991 she was a resident at the Botshabelo open-air museum, which presents Ndebele culture to visitors.
Her designs were also reproduced in 1997 on the tails of British Airways planes and more recently the same technique was used by the artist to paint on the new Fiat 500 on the occasion of the exhibition “Why Africa?”.
Mahlangu is one of the African artists whose art is often exhibited internationally. Her works are in major private collections including that of The Contemporary African Art Collection (CAAC) of Jean Pigozzi and in many Western museums.
The next show – A solo exhibition.
The Melrose Gallery honoured her for her upcoming birthday by putting on an exhibition of her works, which include a never-seen-before original sculpture.
“We are pleased to present Esther Mahlangu 87, a solo exhibition in honour of Dr Mahlangu’s 87th birthday. The exhibition will open to the public on 12 November and will run until 27 November 2022. Enthusiasts will be treated to a new series of sculptures and vessels that are to be unveiled for the first time.
Although Dr Mahlangu has often created what can be considered sculptural forms by paintings on planes, cars, motorbikes, helmets and the like, this is the first time that she has released something that is specifically a sculpture and not a painting on an object created for another purpose.” – Craig Mark
You can do a virtual viewing of the exhibition here. Otherwise, find more details for the in-person event via the website here.
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