Esther Mahlangu (b. 1935) is a South African artist and cultural icon whose work translates the traditional Ndebele wall paintings of her community into bold contemporary forms. A member of the Ndebele nation, Mahlangu’s practice is rooted in generational knowledge, ceremony, and domestic architecture—expressed through precise geometric patterning and vibrant color.

In 1991 Mahlangu became the first woman and first African artist to participate in the BMW Art Car Collection alongside other prominent figures such as Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Roy Lichtenstein, and Frank Stella.