Icon Dr. Esther Mahlangu Receives Prestigious Honorary Doctorate for Geometric Artistry
South African artist Esther Mahlangu, 81, arrives to the Melrose Gallery, where a series of her artwork inspired by Nelson Mandela is due to be unveiled, on March, 1 2017 in Johannesburg. South African artist Esther Mahlangu has produced six paintings reproduced from drawings created by Mandela in her signature Ndebele style, with exhibition also including previous work by Mahlangu. (Photo by GULSHAN KHAN / AFP) (Photo by GULSHAN KHAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Dr Esther Mahlangu, a cultural icon and renowned artist, was honoured with a Doctorate in Mathematics by the University of South Africa (UNISA). Image credit: Getty Images, Photo by: Gulshan Khan
Published by: Rorisang Masenya
Dr Esther Mahlangu, an internationally celebrated South African art and culture pillar, received an accolade acknowledging her brilliant use of colour, pattern, and geometry as a means of artistic expression. The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Mathematics (Honoris Causa) was awarded at a graduation ceremony held at the Unisa Muckleneuk Campus in Pretoria yesterday, 16 April 2024.
Known for her vibrant and mesmerizing Ndebele designs, Dr Mahlangu’s art is deeply rooted in tradition yet possesses a timelessly modern appeal. Her works are a captivating celebration of her heritage and a powerful means of connecting people across continents and cultures. “Her paintings are both colourful and geometric. It is generally accepted that, although seemingly simple, the geometric abstractions in her art are underscored by the constant repetition and symmetry of such simple shapes that make the whole work quite complex,” Unisa noted in their statement.
This prestigious award is a testament to the profoundly mathematical essence inherent in Dr. Mahlangu’s work. , affirmed this sentiment:
“We recognize Dr. Mahlangu’s work as something that transcends art… her work is a form of mathematics and should thus be recognized as such.”
Unisa Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Puleng LenkaBula .
The university’s move to elevate and celebrate indigenous knowledge systems is both commendable and fitting. Professor LenkaBula eloquently asserted, “As an African university, we have a responsibility to recognize and affirm our indigenous knowledge systems and to ensure that they do not play second fiddle to other knowledge systems in the world.”
Dr. Mahlangu’s artistic influence has long extended beyond the canvas. In 1999, she became the first woman artist invited to create her unique Ndebele design on a BMW 525i. The “African Art Car” was showcased at prestigious museums across the globe, including the National Museum of Women in Arts in Washington DC and the British Museum in London. Collaborations with iconic names like the Virginia Museum of Art (VMFA) further propelled her visibility on the international art scene.
While Dr. Mahlangu’s art has earned its place in galleries and museums around the world, it’s important to remember its significance and origins within her community. Her work is not merely aesthetically pleasing; it serves as a powerful form of cultural preservation and a bridge between past and present.
The recent honorary doctorate bestowed upon Dr. Esther Mahlangu stands as a testament to the fact that art can be both profoundly beautiful and mathematically complex. More importantly, it is a celebration of a remarkable woman who uses her artistic gifts to connect, educate, and inspire. Through her vibrant Ndebele creations, Dr. Mahlangu’s legacy will continue to resonate for generations to come.
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