In honour of International Women’s Day and its theme, ‘Accelerating Action,’ Standard Bank is showcasing a pop-up exhibition featuring works by the iconic Dr. Esther Mahlangu. Set in the Atrium of the bank’s head office in Rosebank, Johannesburg, the exhibition celebrates Mahlangu’s groundbreaking contributions to contemporary African art while reinforcing the bank’s commitment to gender equality in the arts.
For over 40 years, Standard Bank has championed African culture and the arts, fostering an environment that both preserves heritage and nurtures the next generation. Dr. Mahlangu’s artistic journey spans more than half a century, rooted in the meticulous traditions of Ndebele painting.
IMAGE: Dr. Esther Mahlangu
She has expanded this indigenous practice into a globally recognised visual language, ensuring that cultural memory is both honoured and carried forward.
Dr. Mahlangu is not just a painter; she is an archivist of memory, a woman who has taken the sacred knowledge passed down through generations and stretched it beyond the walls of a homestead, onto canvases worldwide,” says Standard Bank Gallery Curator and Manager, Dr. Same Mdluli.
“Her work does not exist in isolation. It is deeply entangled in the histories of women who came before her and the future of those who will come after.”
This exhibition underscores the vital role that women continue to play in shaping the artistic and cultural landscape. More than a display of extraordinary talent, it stands as a testament to Dr. Mahlangu’s lifelong mission—to ensure that African excellence is not only seen but elevated on the world stage.
