By Aaliyah Kiekens
Published November 2, 2024

The exhibition intends to celebrate not only Esther Mahlangu's artistic career, but also her ability to fuse tradition and modernity, keeping the culture of her people alive and disseminating it in a contemporary context.Black Liquid Art Gallery is currently holding an art exhibition entitled ‘Beyond the Wall: Esther Mahlangu and Ndebele Culture between Tradition and Contemporaneity‘ in its new premises in Rome, Italy.

The exhibition, thatis curated by Antonella Pisilli, is dedicated to the iconic South African artist Esther Mahlangu, one of the most representative figures in contemporary African art. This event represents a unique opportunity for the Italian public to get in touch with the vibrant world of Ndebele culture, which Esther Mahlangu has been able to reinterpret in a modern key, bringing a message of tradition and innovation beyond the boundaries of time and space.

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Over the course of her career, Esther Mahlangu has taken part in numerous major artistic collaborations, including her first BMW Art Car in 1991, the decoration of British Airways aircraft, and more recent projects with BMW, MoMA and the Venice Biennale.Esther Mahlangu has participated in the most significant exhibitions on the global art scene, such as Magiciens de la Terre and Africa Remix, and is present in major international institutions and collections. Known for her Ndebele paintings characterised by geometric modules, strict symmetry and vivid colours, the artist has managed to adapt these traditional forms onto modern media, from canvases to cars, helping to spread the culture of her people globally.

Over the course of her career, Esther Mahlangu has taken part in numerous major artistic collaborations, including her first BMW Art Car in 1991, the decoration of British Airways aircraft, and more recent projects with BMW, MoMA and the Venice Biennale.

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The exhibition intends to celebrate not only Esther Mahlangu's artistic career, but also her ability to fuse tradition and modernity, keeping the culture of her people alive and disseminating it in a contemporary context.The exhibition is accompanied by an exclusive video with an interview with the artist, made by Antonella Pisilli, which offers an intimate insight into the work and life of this extraordinary ambassador of Ndebele art.

The exhibition intends to celebrate not only Esther Mahlangu’s artistic career, but also her ability to fuse tradition and modernity, keeping the culture of her people alive and disseminating it in a contemporary context.

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