The Wits Art Museum (WAM) is set to host an exhibition titled “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective”, from November 2024 to April 2025. This exhibition celebrates the life’s work of the renowned South African artist Dr. Esther Mahlangu, showcasing over 100 of her iconic artworks. Mahlangu, a pioneer in Ndebele painting, has risen to international acclaim with her distinctive visual language that blends traditional Ndebele art with contemporary forms. This retrospective provides audiences the opportunity to explore her vast body of work, including her famous BMW Art Car, painted mannequins, and collaborations with figures such as Nelson Mandela.

Having first gained international attention in 1989 at the *Magiciens de la Terre* exhibition in Paris, Mahlangu has since established herself as a global icon. The WAM exhibition offers a look at her artistic journey, with highlights such as archival material, her earliest canvas works, and the historic return of her BMW 525i Art Car to Gauteng. Joining us on the line is Craig Mark, The Melrose Gallery Director