Esther Mahlangu (South Africa, b. 1935)

Lot description

Esther Mahlangu (South Africa, b. 1935) Esther Mahlangu South Africa B 1935 oil on canvas. Circa 2016 .22 1/2 inches high x 28 1/2 inches high. Owned by Internationally known R&B Singer Usher & Former Wife Grace. Esther Mahlangu (South Africa, b. 1935) Esther Mahlangu South Africa B 1935 oil on canvas. Circa 2010. Belonged to the Singer Usher & His wife grace. Measures 26 inches high x 33 1/2 inches wide Untitled Acrylic on canvas Esther Mahlangu is one of the most celebrated living South African artists, renowned worldwide for translating the centuries-old traditions of Ndebele mural painting into a contemporary fine art language. Often described as a cultural icon, Mahlangu was the first female artist to bring Ndebele art beyond South Africa’s borders in the years following apartheid. Now in her late 80s, she continues to create works that fuse bold geometric abstraction with profound cultural symbolism, affirming her role as a living bridge between heritage and the global art stage. These three vibrant canvases, each alive with Mahlangu’s signature palette of radiant greens, purples, yellows, and blues framed in bold black and white linework, embody the visual lexicon that has made her work instantly recognizable. Traditionally painted on the walls of homes as symbols of identity, communication, and resilience, Mahlangu’s canvases carry the same essence: a visual language that resonates across continents, echoing motifs of protection, connection, and celebration found in cultures worldwide. The provenance of this collection adds further significance. Grace Harry first encountered Mahlangu in Washington, D.C., at a celebration hosted by Oprah Winfrey that honored artists who had used their craft to transform culture. Struck by Mahlangu’s regal presence and inspired by her story—an elder artist whose life’s work transcended apartheid to reach global audiences—Grace was determined to acquire her work. Soon after, through Steven Kasher Gallery in New York, she secured this rare set of smaller canvases, a counterpoint to Mahlangu’s celebrated monumental murals and large-scale works. Together, these three paintings capture both the artist’s timeless vision and a moment of cultural awakening: bold, joyful, and deeply symbolic works by one of Africa’s greatest living treasures. Condition Report