CELEBRATING COMMUNITY: ESTHER MAHLANGU’S MONUMENTAL MURAL AT SERPENTINE NORTH
The Serpentine North Garden in London has been transformed into a vibrant tapestry of colour and culture with a new site-specific mural by the renowned South African artist Dr Esther Mahlangu. On view until September 28, 2025, this striking work embodies the Ndebele proverb Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, meaning “I am because you are,” celebrating themes of community, connection, and shared humanity.
Esther Mahlangu, photo by Clint Strydom, courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
Dr. Mahlangu, born in 1935, is a celebrated artist and cultural icon whose vivid, geometric paintings are deeply rooted in the matrilineal traditions of Ndebele culture. Since the age of ten, she has been committed to preserving and advancing the techniques passed down from her mother and grandmother, adorning homes in her village with intricate, hand-painted patterns. Her mural at Serpentine North is her first public artwork in the UK, marking a historic moment for both the artist and the British art landscape.
Executed on sixteen wooden panels, Mahlangu’s mural brims with vibrant colours and bold shapes characteristic of Ndebele art. Hand-painted without stencils or tape, each line and form is rendered with precision, using only chicken feathers and an assortment of brushes. In her signature style, she employs natural pigments—clay, soil, and even cow dung—for pieces painted in her village, though she also embraces acrylics on canvas, enabling her to experiment with larger formats and a more expansive colour palette.
Esther Mahlangu, Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu, 2024. Serpentine North Garden, 4 October 2024 – 28 September 2025. Courtesy Serpentine and The Melrose Gallery. Photo: George Darrell
For this mural, she has taken inspiration from traditional Ndebele shapes, creating a rhythmic, almost musical composition. Every shape is outlined with a distinct black border, accentuating the geometric patterns that pulse with life. These borders not only emphasize the unique forms but also reflect a deeply rooted cultural significance, linking her work to a visual language developed over centuries by the women in her community.
ESTHER MAHLANGU’S MONUMENTAL MURAL AT SERPENTINE NORTH
Esther Mahlangu’s mural at Serpentine North is more than an artwork; it’s an invitation to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Ndebele people, to contemplate the connections that bind us, and to celebrate the beauty of unity. Through her craft, Dr. Mahlangu brings the spirit of her community to London, offering viewers a glimpse into a world where tradition and contemporary art intersect in breathtaking harmony.
