Dr. Esther Mahlangu (South African, b. 1935), Ndebele Abstract

Acrylic on Masonite, 1997, signed and dated at lower left, matted and framed under glass.

Panel 13 3/4 x 16 in.; Frame dimensions 21 3/4 x 24 in.

From the Estate of the late Douglas Newton, Wilmington, North Carolina

According the consignor, Dr. Mahlangu visited his father, Douglas Newton, and aunt, Zenobia Newton, in Wilmington, North Carolina in 1996.

Esther Mahlangu is an internationally acclaimed Ndebele artist celebrated for her bold, geometric compositions rooted in traditional South African wall painting. Born in Middelburg, Mpumalanga, Mahlangu began painting at age 10, learning from her mother and grandmother. Her work is a dynamic evolution of ancestral patterns, meticulously adapted to contemporary surfaces such as canvas, wood, and even automobiles. Mahlangu rose to international prominence in 1991 when she was commissioned by BMW to paint a 525i as part of the BMW Art Car project—becoming the first woman and first African to participate.

Mahlangu’s work bridges heritage and innovation, using vivid color, symmetry, and form to maintain and globalize Ndebele visual culture. She has exhibited in major institutions including the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the British Museum, and the Smithsonian Institution. Her legacy includes collaborations with brands like Rolls-Royce, Belvedere, and Dior, as well as mentorship of younger artists in her community through a school she founded to preserve Ndebele techniques. Recognized as a cultural icon, Mahlangu has received numerous honors, including honorary doctorates and the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France. Her practice embodies resilience, identity, and the enduring power of indigenous art in the global arena.

Good estate condition.