BMW To Celebrate Esther Mahlangu at Frieze London 2024

From October 9 to 13, Frieze London and Frieze Masters return to Regent’s Park, London. As a global partner since 2004, BMW will celebrate the work of South African artist Esther Mahlangu, the first woman to design a BMW Art Car back in 1991. In collaboration with BMW, the Serpentine Gallery will reveal a new mural by Mahlangu titled “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu” (“I am because you are”) in the garden at Serpentine North.

Adding to this celebration, actor and art collector Russell Tovey, host of Talk Art, will curate a selection of works from his private collection to be displayed at the BMW Lounge during Frieze London. His curation includes pieces by female, queer, and artists of color, in response to Mahlangu’s vibrant Ndebele artworks.

To honor her incredible journey, the first interview-based publication, “Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart”, will be launched during Frieze Week, co-edited by Azu Nwagbogu and Hans Ulrich Obrist.

Esther Mahlangu: A Pioneer of Pan-African Art

Born in 1935, Esther Mahlangu is a trailblazer in Pan-African contemporary art, known for her large-scale works that draw from Ndebele traditions. Mahlangu began painting at the age of ten, learning from her mother and grandmother. She is known for using natural materials like clay and cow dung to create intricate patterns on the exterior of village homes.

In 1991, Mahlangu made history by becoming the first woman and African artist to design a BMW Art Car. Her work transformed a BMW 525i into a moving piece of art, marking the beginning of a long-term collaboration with BMW.

A New Mural in London

Mahlangu’s new mural, “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu”, is her first public mural in the UK, created in collaboration with the BMW Group and The Melrose Gallery. Painted on 16 wooden panels, it reflects traditional Ndebele patterns and emphasizes the importance of community and unity.

“I am proud to present this monumental outdoor work at Serpentine in London. It is my wish that this painting brings joy to all who see it and celebrates the connection between our nations and all living beings,” Mahlangu said about her work.

Bettina Korek, CEO of Serpentine, and Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist, praised Mahlangu’s influence: “She is one of the most important artists of our time, continually inspiring new talent. This project is a celebration of her global impact.”

The mural will be officially unveiled on October 9 during the Serpentine’s traditional breakfast at Frieze London.

Events at the BMW Lounge

Several events will take place in the BMW Lounge during Frieze London, including a special exhibition curated by Russell Tovey. Tovey, a long-time admirer of Mahlangu’s work, has selected pieces from artists like Etel Adnan, Mary Heilman, and Carmen Herrera to create a dialogue with Mahlangu’s works.

“Esther’s geometric work deeply inspires me. The freedom and calm within her paintings resonate throughout my collection,” Tovey said. He will share his passion for Mahlangu’s work during a talk on October 10.

Additionally, BMW will launch “Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart”, a book that explores Mahlangu’s life and legacy through interviews with curators Hans Ulrich Obrist and Azu Nwagbogu, and insights from South African fashion designer Thebe Magugu. The book will be available for sale at Frieze London, with a signing event on October 9.

A Landmark Year for Mahlangu

2024 marks a milestone year in Esther Mahlangu’s career. Her retrospective exhibition “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”, which opened at the Iziko Museums of South Africa, is touring the globe. The show highlights Mahlangu’s more than 50 years of artistic evolution. It includes her famous BMW Art Car, which returned to South Africa for the first time in over 30 years. The next stop for this exhibition will be at the Wits Art Museum in Johannesburg, opening November 19.

Esther Mahlangu’s work was also showcased at the 2024 Venice Biennale in the main exhibition “Stranieri Ovunque – Foreigners Everywhere”. Earlier this year, she collaborated with BMW on the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, featuring her designs and BMW’s color-changing technology, which debuted at Frieze LA.

Frieze Music and Other Highlights

As part of Frieze London, BMW and Frieze will also present Frieze Music, featuring a live performance by Indie-Pop singer Arlo Parks on October 10 at KOKO Theatre in Camden. Parks, whose latest album “My Soft Machine” was listed in Rolling Stone’s 100 Best Albums of 2023, will bring her poetic and introspective style to the event.