Esther Mahlangu (b. 1935, South Africa) | Ndebele Pattern, 2016 | Acrylic on canvas, D:120

Sign.: LL esther mahlangu 2016

The exhibition "Then I Knew I Could Paint Well": Esther Mahlangu, a retrospective, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, opened on February 17, 2024, at the Iziko Museum in South Africa. The exhibition highlights Dr. Esther Mahlangu's career spanning over 50 years and her sudden rise as a contemporary artist, earning her global recognition. The monumental retrospective will be open to the public at the Iziko South African National Gallery until August 11, 2024. From there, it will begin its global tour, first stopping at the Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg, South Africa, and then moving to the United States at the beginning of 2026.

Currently, Esther Mahlangu's works are on display until July 7th at the Brooklyn Museum in the United States as part of the "Giants" exhibition, featuring artworks from the renowned musicians Alicia Keys and her husband Swizz Beatz's art collection, along with works by other artists such as Gordon Parks, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Lorna Simpson, Kehinde Wiley, Nina Chanel Abney, among others. Additionally, Esther Mahlangu is participating in this year's Venice Biennale.