1:40:48 PM Thu, May 17th 2012

How Esther Mahlangu could “pimp” out your BMW

Esther Mahlangu is an Ndebele from Gauteng region in South Africa. Wall paintings has been part of the Ndebele peoples’ culture for centuries. Artistic heritage is handed down from mother to daughter; as a young Ndebele woman reaches puberty she withdraws from male society for three months and is encouraged to learn the ceremonial patterns of Ndebele beadwork and decorative wall paintings.

Esther Mahlangu, who paints free hand is an important promoter of this tradition.

Mahlangu is believed to be the first Ndebele artist to extend her paintings beyond walls. As you can see below Mahlangu is pretty adept and celebrated worlwide for her BMW paintings. . She has been quoted as stating: “My mother and grandmother taught me to paint when I was ten years old. I have been busy with it ever since and have always liked it. When I am painting my heart is very wide, it reaches out. It makes me feel very, very happy.”

installation

  • http://freduagyeman.blogspot.com Nana Fredua-Agyeman

    At least there is something positive in our culture after all. For those who claim they haven’t seen, please just watch. In this world it is how you use what you have. I know that many women organisations coming from God Knows Where would have criticised this and say it demeans the woman. Yet look at what she’s doing with it.

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