Join Jonathan Ball Publishers for an evening of art, culture and storytelling to celebrate the release of Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart.

‘Esther Mahlangu is one of the most important artists of our time who continues to inspire artists all over the world. Mahlangu is a visionary who brings art into society.’ – Hans Ulrich Obrist

Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart is a captivating exploration of the life and work of the iconic South African painter, one of the most influential artists of Pan-African contemporary art.

Esther Mahlangu is globally acclaimed for her bright and bold abstract paintings with vivid, geometric patterns that are rooted in South Africa’s Ndebele artistic tradition. She was a disruptor from an early age, becoming the first person to reimagine Ndebele visual artistic style – historically used for decorating houses – on painting media such as canvas, and has become a much-loved cultural ambassador of the Ndebele Nation.

Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart celebrates Mahlangu’s remarkable journey as a pioneer of contemporary African art, whose vibrant and distinctive paintings have captured the hearts of many worldwide. Through a series of interviews with Mahlangu conducted by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Azu Nwagbogu, and Thomas Girst, readers will gain insight into her creative process, inspiration and the cultural significance of her work – in the artist’s own words.

With a preface by Nontobeko Ntombela, the curator of Mahlangu’s major 2024 travelling retrospective, Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart presents stunning visuals and engaging narratives, offering an inspiring experience to the reader.

With contributions from Thomas Girst, Azu Nwagbogu, Hans Ulrich Obrist, Nontobeko Ntombela, Pitika Ntuli and Thebe Magugu.

Event details

Date: Thursday 28 November 2024
Time: 18:00 for 18:30
Venue: Melrose Gallery, Melrose Arch, 10 The High St, Melrose, Johannesburg

Categories International Lifestyle South Africa

Tags Art Book events Book launches Esther Mahlangu Jonathan Ball Publishers