The Iziko Museums of South Africa is thrilled to announce the opening of “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective on February 17, 2024. Curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, this landmark exhibition pays tribute to Dr. Esther Mahlangu’s remarkable career spanning over 50 years, showcasing her meteoric rise as a contemporary artist and earning her global acclaim. The retrospective will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery from February 18 to August 11, 2024, before embarking on a global tour.

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The exhibition, curated with precision, unfolds Mahlangu’s artistic journey through the language of colour and form. Over 100 artworks from international collections, historic photographs, and a short film are carefully curated to provide an intimate insight into her vast and vibrant career. Notably, the retrospective features Mahlangu’s BMW 525i Art Car, making its historic return to South Africa after more than 30 years. In 1991, Mahlangu became the first woman and first African to participate in the prestigious BMW Art Car Collection.

Curator Nontobeko Ntombela notes that Mahlangu’s journey is a testament to passion, innovation, and resilience. The retrospective celebrates Mahlangu’s unique approach, blending African cultures with modernity and the contemporary, symbolizing her self-enunciation, self-determination, and creativity.

Esther Mahlangu’s journey began in the early 1940s when she was trained by her grandmother and mother. Recounting her story, Mahlangu shares, “I would continue to paint on the house when they left for a break. When they came back, they would say: ‘What have you done, child? Never do that again!’ After that, I started drawing on the back of the house, and slowly my drawings got better and better until they finally asked me to come back to the front of the house. Then I knew I was good at painting.” The retrospective draws inspiration from Mahlangu’s story of discovering her extraordinary talent at the young age of 10.

The retrospective is a landmark achievement for South African art, recognizing Mahlangu as one of the few artists to present a Retrospective Exhibition in world-renowned museums. Dr. Bongani Ndhlovu, Acting CEO of Iziko Museums of South Africa, expresses his honor in celebrating the living legend, Dr. Esther Mahlangu, and hosting this colossal showcase where creativity, culture, and aesthetics converge.

Dr. Mahlangu’s art transcends traditional boundaries, displaying fluency across diverse mediums. From small treasures to vast public installations, her work showcases mastery in transforming space and form. Departing from traditional Ndebele practices, her art extends to sculptures, ceramics, and everyday objects, inviting contemplation on complex themes.

“Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective is made possible through the generous support of the National Arts Council and BMW. As the exhibition opens its doors, it not only celebrates a living legend but also reinforces the importance of Africa-centered innovations and the power of artistic expression to inspire generations.