Until November 30, Black Liquid Art Gallery is pleased to inaugurate its new art space in Rome with the exhibition “Beyond the Wall: Esther Mahlangu and Ndebele Culture Between Tradition and Contemporaneity”. Curated by Antonella Pisilli, this performance will highlight the renowned contemporary artist Esther Mahlangu, a leading figure in the South African and African art scene as a whole.
Going beyond a simple inauguration or an art exhibition, “Beyond the Wall: Esther Mahlangu and Ndebele Culture Between Tradition and Contemporaneity” is a true gateway to the African creative approach for the Italian public. In this immersive experience, the vibrant world of Ndebele culture comes to life through the work of Esther Mahlangu. The contemporary artist, with her unique talent, reinterprets centuries-old traditions with a modern twist, blending innovation and cultural heritage over time.
A prominent figure on the international art scene, Esther Mahlangu has risen to prominence through her participation in landmark exhibitions such as “Magiciens de la Terre” and “Africa Remix“. Her works, which can be seen in prestigious institutions and collections around the world, showcase the beauty of Ndebele patterns: rigorous symmetry, distinct geometries and a burst of vibrant colour. The artist has successfully transposed these traditional elements onto contemporary media, broadening the reach of her cultural heritage on a global scale. Her career has been marked by notable collaborations, such as the first BMW Art Car in 1991, the decoration of British Airways aircraft, and recent projects with MoMA and the Venice Biennale.
In her native South Africa, Esther Mahlangu is revered as a pioneer of Ndebele art. Originally from Mapoch, she travels the world, sharing the richness of her culture. Her passion for art was sparked in childhood, guided by her mother and grandmother. In the past, Ndebele paintings decorated homes and were renewed during rites of passage. This tradition, exclusive to women, demonstrates a deep connection between art and culture within the community. Today, Esther Mahlangu also passes on her knowledge to young boys in her tribe, creating, in her own words, an army of artists charged with bringing the Ndebele style to life around the world.
Ndebele paintings are distinguished by bold geometric patterns, a predominant use of triangular shapes, and sharp black lines on a bright white background. This visual language, although seemingly instinctive, is in reality a meticulous exploration of form. Esther Mahlangu in her art practice favors abstraction over the figurative, giving it a universal scope that resonates with the refined concepts of abstraction, dear to artists such as the Suprematists.
The South African artist has brilliantly adapted these traditional geometries to new surfaces, covering canvases, vehicles and even design objects. Her induction onto the international scene was marked by the decoration of a BMW 525i in 1991, inaugurating the era of the African Art Car. Subsequently, she painted aircraft tailfins for British Airways and collaborated with Fiat to enhance the new Fiat 500 at the “Why Africa?” exhibition in Turin.
Esther Mahlangu has also forged ties with contemporary fashion brands, as evidenced by her limited edition sneaker with Eytys and her project with John Legend for a bottle of Belvedere vodka, the proceeds of which went to charities fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. In 2023, she designed the interior of the BMW 7 Series, presented at the Frieze Art Fair in London, in aid of humanitarian initiatives.
Accompanied by a video interview by Antonella Pisilli, the exhibition offers a valuable insight into the life and work of Esther Mahlangu, this symbol of Ndebele art. Recently, the artist emerged at the Venice Biennale, where she participated in a project celebrating indigenous art and its contemporary influence. In 2023, his leading role in the “Africa Now” exhibition at MoMA celebrated his decisive impact on the global art scene, and in 2024, a retrospective at “Zeitz MOCAA” in Cape Town highlighted his exceptional career.
“Beyond the Wall: Esther Mahlangu and Ndebele Culture Between Tradition and Contemporaneity” aims to highlight Esther Mahlangu’s flourishing career, while celebrating her ability to marry tradition and modernity. It illustrates how this cultural heritage continues to vibrate through the prism of contemporary art, thus ensuring the sustainability and diffusion of the richness of her people in today’s world.