"THEN I KNEW I WAS GOOD AT PAINTING"
CELEBRATING SEVEN DECADES OF PAINTING
In February 2024, in celebration of Dr. Mahlangu’s inspirational career ‘Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective’, will launch at the Iziko South African National Gallery.
The exhibition, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, is set to tour respected local and international museums for an extended period thereafter.
Nontobeko Ntombela
Nontobeko Ntombela is a curator based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
She currently works at the Wits School of Arts developing the postgraduate programs in curatorial and exhibition practices.
Nontobeko Ntombela is a member of faculty at the Wits School of Arts at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. Her academic and curatorial work focuses on modern and contemporary South African art, with a particular interest in, but not limited to early modern Black women artists. This research has resulted in various academic texts and curated projects.
Prior to starting her academic career in 2012, Ntombela worked as a curator for more than a decade in organisations such as the Johannesburg Art Gallery (2010- 2020), Durban University Art Gallery (2005-2010), BAT Centre (2001-2005), and Art for Humanity (2000-2001). Some of Ntombela’s most well-known curatorial projects include, When Rain Clouds Gather: South African Black Women Artist 1940 - 2000 (2022-2023), co-curated with Portia Malatjie at Norval Foundation, The Burden of Memory (2019) – a multiple-site event in the city of Yaoundé Cameroon - co-curated with Rose Jepkorir and Princess Marilyn Douala Bell, Solo at the Cape Town Art Fair (2018), A Fragile Archive (2013) at JAG, Spectaculaire (2013) Frac des Pays de la Loire Carquefou France, MTN New Contemporaries (2010) at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of Art and From Here to There (2007) co-curated with Storm van Rensburg at the Association of Visual Arts (AVA) as part of the CAPE07 fringe programme.
She is the co-editor of The Yoni Book, in collaboration with artist Reshma Chhiba (2019). Ntombela has served on various boards and committees for organizations such as the Department of Arts and Culture, VANSA Visual Arts Network of South Africa, National Arts Council, KZNSA KwaZulu Natal Society of Arts, Art for Human Rights Trust, Johannesburg Art Gallery, and UNISA Art Gallery. In 2019, the Melrose Gallery invited Ntombela to curate a worldwide touring show of Dr Esther Mahlangu's work, which begins with this exhibition: Then I knew I was good at painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective at Iziko Museums of South Africa in Cape Town.
15 February 2024
e-flux
Esther Mahlangu: “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”
The Iziko Museums of South Africa and BMW are pleased to present “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”: Esther Mahlangu. A Retrospective. The exhibition, curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, highlights Esther Mahlangu’s over 50-year long...
16 January 2024
IOL
Retrospective of Dr Esther Mahlangu’s life and art coming soon to Iziko Museum, Cape Town
Iziko Museums of South Africa has announced ‘Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting’: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective, will be opening on February 17, 2024. Curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, the exhibition highlights Dr Esther Mahlangu...
13 February 2024
Rolls Royce
CELEBRATED ARTIST DR. ESTHER MAHLANGU PAINTS UNIQUE ARTWORK FOR ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM GALLERY
Rolls-Royce’s flagship, Phantom, has within it, an interior space which spans the dash facia and which is enclosed by a sheet of glass. This unprecedented space is called the Gallery. It provides clients of the marque the unique opportunity to commission...
5 February 2024
Time Out
Esther Mahlangu's Art Car is coming to Cape Town!
With the arrival of the Investec Cape Town Art Fair and International Public Arts Festival, February is a busy time for Cape Town’s creative industries. But this month will also see the doors open on a remarkable retrospective of works...
16 January 2024
Ellectric
Esther Mahlangu's lifework and BMW Art Car on display in Retrospective Exhibition
The Iziko Museums of South Africa and BMW have announced their collaboration for the upcoming exhibition titled “Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting”: Esther Mahlangu. A Retrospective. This exhibition, curated by Nontobeko...
16 January 2024
Momaa
Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective
“A Canvas of Colors and Cultures: The Remarkable Journey of Esther Mahlangu”
Good morning to art enthusiasts and culture curators! Today, I am thrilled to share an extraordinary event in the art world. Next month, the esteemed Iziko...
16 January 2024
Contemporary And
Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective
Iziko Museums of South Africa announces Then I Knew I Was Good at Painting: Esther Mahlangu, A Retrospective, is opening on February 17, 2024. Curated by Nontobeko Ntombela, the exhibition highlights Dr Esther Mahlangu’s...