Iconic artist Esther Mahlangu honoured for Int. Women's Day with month-long Standard Bank pop-up exhibit

Globally acclaimed visual artist Esther Mahlangu is regarded as a national treasure in South Africa.

Born in 1935, her 70-year career celebrates the traditions of the Ndebele people.

This iconic female artist is a fitting choice for Standard Bank to honour in celebration of International Women's Day (8 March).

It's presenting a pop-up exhibition of Mahlangu's work in the atrium of its headquarters in Rosebank, Johannesburg.

The exhibit will be on for around a month, says Same Mdluli, manager of the Standard Bank Gallery.

"We do these regular pop-ups in trying to, not only I think grow an appreciation of art, but create awareness amongst our colleagues and employees in the Bank of how it's been championing the arts for over four decades."

Same Mdluli, Curator - Standard Bank Gallery

The selection of Mahlangu for this month's artist also ties in with the retrospective at the Wits Art Museum (WAM), with which Standard Bank shares a relationship through the African Art Collection.

"There are all these points that connect her as a figure.... celebrating International Women's Day as well as where contemporary African art is now and the conversations around it."

Same Mdluli, Curator - Standard Bank Gallery

The selection of art works for the pop-up was guided by both the practicalities dictated by the space, as well as what would have the greatest impact.

The exhibit  includes some beautiful vessels that draw from the indigenous knowledge Mahlangu works within which spotlights her Ndebele background, Mdluli says.

"We chose works with the biggest impact that give a sense of the stature and the calibre of her art, but also give a sense of the diversity and range she's worked in."

"It's the more recent work that she's been doing, also tying the link to the larger exhibition at WAM." 

Same Mdluli, Curator - Standard Bank Gallery

For more detail, listen to the interview audio at the top of the article