BMW Spotlights Pan-African Art at Frieze London

Precolonial African art was rooted in function. Sculpted artifacts were created with a purpose—whether for rituals or everyday life. Yet, this practicality didn’t diminish their aesthetic value. By the mid-20th century, a shift occurred. A new artistic wave, born in response to colonial oppression, took shape. The Pan-African art movement emerged, uniting African cultures through a shared identity and creative force. Art became a tool for confronting the history of slavery, discrimination, and the dehumanizing attacks on African heritage.

Esther Mahlangu’s journey into this narrative is steeped in generational tradition. Taught by her mother, who learned from her grandmother, Mahlangu became a vital conduit of the Ndebele tribe’s artistic legacy. Known for their distinctive painted houses—thick black lines framing vivid geometric patterns—the Ndebele art form is both a celebration of color and culture. Mahlangu, however, transformed this practice. By transferring these ancient patterns onto new surfaces, she rose to become a symbol of Pan-African contemporary art, her work a fusion of tradition and modernity. It is this fusion that BMW, as the official partner of Frieze London 2024, sought to honor, celebrating Mahlangu’s revolutionary contribution to global art.

Mahlangu’s relationship with BMW stretches back to 1991, when she became the first woman to create a BMW Art Car, blending her heritage with a symbol of modern engineering. Her art captivates with its interplay of form and color, though Mahlangu resists assigning meaning to her work. Instead, she leaves interpretation open, allowing each viewer to form their own connection. At Frieze London, the Serpentine North Gallery unveiled Mahlangu’s first public mural in the UK, a collaboration with BMW and The Melrose Gallery. In the gallery’s backyard, sixteen painted wood panels showcased her vision—bold blues, pinks, and oranges interrupted by stark black and white, creating a rhythm that invited reflection. The mural, titled Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu (meaning “I am because you are”), acted as an emotional touchstone, where contrasts in color and form evoked both movement and serenity. The piece urged viewers to pause, absorb, and interpret.

To further illuminate Mahlangu’s vast artistic legacy, her first interview publication, Esther Mahlangu. To Paint is in My Heart, was launched at the BMW Lounge during Frieze. Edited by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Azu Nwagbogu, and BMW’s head of cultural engagement, Thomas Girst, the book offers a deeper dive into her creative journey. The lounge, curated by actor and art collector Russell Tovey, featured works from Tovey’s own collection, each piece inspired by Mahlangu’s boundary-pushing spirit. During a talk, Tovey lays open the relationship art and the owner of it has, continuously changing and influencing each other. It underscored how Mahlangu’s legacy continues to resonate in the contemporary art world, a testament to the power of tradition and the resilience of African artistic expression—brought into a special spotlight through BMW’s support.