Esther Mahlangu
2016 ARTS NEWSMAKER: Globalising tribal art
For her efforts in making SA cultural identity sing and take flight on the global stage while staying true to her roots, Esther Mahlangu is our arts newsmaker for 2016
The likes of Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were inspired by African indigenous art, but seldom have we seen artists from the continent really taking flight while staying faithful to the traditions that birthed their motifs. That’s changing, thanks to Esther Mahlangu, a canny octogenarian with a magic chicken-feather paintbrush. This sprightly 81-year-old Mpumalanga artist has placed Ndebele art and design emphatically on the international map over the past 25 years, with her striking geometric patterns gracing galleries, museums and collections all over the globe — not to mention leading brands, including luxury and youth products. But this year was a particularly memorable and rewarding one for her. She has pimped rides and kicks, blinged up alcohol bottles and raked in accolades and acclaim as if they were autumn leaves outside her traditional homestead decorated with her signature Ndebele motifs.
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