BMW

In 1991, Esther Mahlangu was selected to paint the 12th Art Car for the collection, making her the first female and first African artist to join the program.

In bringing the Art Car back to South Africa, for the first time in 30 years, BMW and The Iziko Museums offered viewers a chance to reconnect with Mahlangu’s work within its cultural context, celebrating her unique contribution to the BMW Art Car legacy and her trailblazing influence. Today, the BMW Art Car is revered not just as a milestone in the series but as a living testament to Esther Mahlangu’s legacy and her lifelong commitment to honoring her heritage.

On the occasion of Art Basel in Basel 2023, BMW presented the “Electric AI Canvas” an extension of “The ultimate AI Masterpiece” Esther Mahlangu was selected alongside 4 other renowned contemporary artists, Kohei Nawa, Eric N. Mack, Koo Jiyoon and Bin Woo Hyuk to have their respective artwork chosen as the styles used to train the AI models to transform the 100% electric BMW i5 into a dynamic canvas.

Following their iconic collaboration for the BMW art car collection in 1991, BMW and Esther Mahlangu joined forces for the second time in 2016 when Esther refined a BMW 7 Series. This time around Esther worked with the BMW Individual Manufaktur, transforming a luxury sedan into a one-of-a-kind work of art by painting her renowned patterns on the BMW interior wood trim.

In 2023, BMW partnered with Esther Mahlangu to create a unique logo, inspired by her artwork, to celebrate 50 years of business in South Africa.