Cape Town hosts retrospective of iconic South African artist Esther Mahlangu

Cape Town hosts retrospective of iconic South African artist Esther Mahlangu

From an old BMW painted in colourful shapes to abstract works and historic photographs, a retrospective of celebrated South African artist Esther Mahlangu opens this week at the Iziko South African National Gallery in Cape Town, before going on an international tour.

The exhibition follows the 88-year-old painter and mural artist's unusual trajectory from rural South Africa to global acclaim.

With no formal art training, Mahlangu earned an international reputation with works referencing her Ndebele heritage using skills passed down for generations.

"It's in my genes to paint Ndebele," she says.