Iconic South African artist, Dr. Esther Mahlangu opens a landmark exhibition at the Serpentine North, her first public artwork in the UK. A celebrated artist, whose vivid, geometric paintings are rooted in Ndebele matrilineal traditions showcases her mural titled Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (meaning “I am because you are”). Executed on sixteen wooden panels, Dr Mahlangu’s mural brims with vibrant colours and bold shapes in her signature aesthetic. The artwork is hand-painted without stencils or tape, each line and form is rendered with precision, reflecting themes of community, unity and shared human experience, resonant with its title.
Dr Esther Mahlangu, (b. 1935, South Africa) began painting homes in her village at 10 years old, using traditional Ndebele techniques passed down from her mother and grandmother. Considered a visionary and disruptor, Dr Mahlangu has been widely considered as the first artist to reimagine traditional Ndebele art into contemporary design mediums. A cultural ambassador and multi-award winning artist, Dr Mahlangu continues to preserve her heritage while expanding it into contemporary spaces. Her work is on view at the Serpentine North Garden, 4 October 2024 – 28 September 2025.