South African Artist Esther Mahlangu by Lillian Gray

Esther Mahlangu is one of South Africa’s most globally acclaimed visual artists. Esther became the first artist to transfer the traditional Ndebele Designs that would typically decorate wall murals to canvases. This allowed her to tour the world, acting as a global ambassador for South African and Ndebele Art. She has collaborated with numerous respected museums, galleries, artists, curators, and entities during her illustrious career.
Timestamps
0:00 Intro
1:00 The Ndebele tribe
1:34 Evolution of the Ndebele wall painting
3:49 Meaning of colours in beads and painting
5:11 Interesting fact: only women do the art
5:54 Rites of passage
6:58 Modern paint and Ndebele art
8:03 Esther Mahlangu's life
9:30 The Art Car
10:25 Other commissions
12:47 Esther Mahlangu at present
#esthermahlangu #ndebelewallart #ndebeletribe #arthistory #southafricanarthistory #lilliangrayart #lilliangrayarthistory #sahistory #lilliangrayhistory #famousartist #saartist #southafrica #arthistory
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Stock Photography: from Unsplash.com
Stock Vectors: from Freepik.com

[@jesinix9466]

Lillian, Thanks much for sharing the informative video about the Ndebele tribe AND Esther Mahlangu. I had the honor & pleasure of meeting her personally at JazzFest- a music festival held yearly in New Orleans, La. Yes! She was invited along with a delegation of singers & artists from South Africa. I sat in her tent for several hours and watched in amazement & awe as she painted with a wooden stick (not a paint brush) mind you! Although I did not speak in her native tongue, she saw from my facial expression the pleasure, appreciation, gratitude and admiration of me watching her paint. It was such a magical & enjoyable experience that I will NEVER forget. Thanks again for bringing the Ndebele tribe & her work of art to light! 🙌🏾👏🏾 🫶🏾 👍🏽
👏🏾

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you for sharing this beautiful memory.

[@katecranebriggs2081]

With the South Africa National Gallery Mahlangu retrospective at the moment (Wits next), this is so helpful. Many thanks, Kate (Cape Town)

[@michellebennett5321]

They say knowledge is power. Art History has definitely made me more knowledgeable and proud to be a South African learning about our amazing South African artists. Thank you Lillian.

[@abhotdog3695]

I learned a lot on how there culture works thx Lilian

[@vanessaanderson7231]

Fantastic
I teach Ndebele design and this is a wonderful additional resource for me. I truly appreciate this outstanding resource for my Grade 5 Creative Art students.

[@gobros6934]

Good vid

[@stevesilcock6357]

I loved the video I had to watch it for my school but it was actually very nice

[@LillianGrayArt]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it.

[@monifakincaid6096]

Wow! Thank you Lillian. This was super informative!

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you

[@JacuTurcoAgachado]

So perfect ❤

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thanks so much.

[@sg23yt]

Thank you for the video stay positive and you have well educated me

[@onesadthug]

Awe tsonelo

[@abhotdog3695]

Awes tsoani

[@sg23yt]

@@abhotdog3695 hi

[@sg23yt]

@@onesadthug awes

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you! You too!

[@wynandrabe5292]

Another great video. Enjoyed the context... crazy how we see things around us and we dont realise how it got there!

[@tkafrica267]

Great video

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thanks!

[@Ducits]

😍🙌

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you

[@dalepohl6769]

great information lillian, do you know if ester signed her canvasses as Dr M

[@LillianGrayArt]

Every artwork by her I have seen is signed Esther and not Dr M.

[@dalepohl6769]

@@LillianGrayArt much appreciated for reply

[@JUST_A_DUD3]

👍

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you

[@Chizam1]

Please I need referencing for this video please is for school pro6

[@LillianGrayArt]

You can refer to the blog posts. Each UA-cam video has a blog post on our website. Lilliangray.co.za

[@thandosiza3349]

I’m Ndebele from South Africa, this history is very inaccurate. 1st of all, Ndebele in zim are descendants of Zulu’s who were led by mzilikazi, hence why Ndebele culture in zim is closely related to Zulu than Ndebele in SA. SA Ndebele culture did not start in 1900’s, it also has roots from the Zulu and it’s unique to South African Ndebele. Also initiation is not at 18, it’s anytime you become a teen. There’s so many wrong things I can point out. Next time please make sure you provide accurate information

[@LillianGrayArt]

Thank you for your comment I always appreciate the honest feedback. I am always doing lots of research for these videos. The video states at 1:03 - "The Ndebele tribe lives in Southern Africa, mainly up in the north of South Africa and also in Zimbabwe." At 1:35 the video states "Until the late 1900s the Ndebele were noted, warriors and large landowners." and continues to explain the evolution of the Ndebele wall paintings from this time onwards. According to my research, this is accurate. I would appreciate it if you could point out specific errors in the script and ideally a reference I could use, and I will post corrections in the description if required.

[@GojoSandyHandy]

banana

[@LillianGrayArt]

Yes didnt pick that up when I made the video, sorry.

[@one4one810]

Banana