Scope Miami, 8m Painting

ESTHER MAHLANGU’S MESSAGE OF PEACE TO THE WORLD

MONUMENTAL 8M PAINTING TO BE UNVEILED AT SCOPE MIAMI 2024

Title: ‘Ukuthula Makube Nawe’  

Translation: ‘Peace Be With You’  

Dimensions: 8m x 2m, painting, acrylic on canvas

Exhibition: First public unveiling at SCOPE Miami during Miami Art Week  

In her monumental work, Ukuthula Makube Nawe (Peace Be With You), Dr. Esther

Mahlangu imparts a resonant message of peace that traverses cultural and national

boundaries. Debuting at SCOPE Miami, this towering artwork not only captivates visually but invites viewers to embrace a philosophy of peace and balance—qualities that have marked her seven-decade-long career as a custodian of Ndebele heritage and a global artistic voice.

Dr. Mahlangu’s abstract style, characterized by bold geometric forms and vibrant colors, communicates on an intuitive level. In Ukuthula Makube Nawe, there is no prescribed symbolism; rather, the composition’s forms and hues are harmoniously positioned to evoke tranquility, embodying an essence of sacred geometry that seeks not literal meaning but a feeling of balance. This pursuit of calm and equilibrium has been central to Mahlangu’s practice, reflecting her mastery in creating spaces for contemplation and grounding.

As the title suggests, “Peace Be With You” is both invitation and reminder. In a time of

global tensions and rapid transformations, Dr. Mahlangu’s call for peace resonates

profoundly. As an elder whose career has spanned nearly eight decades, she brings her life’s work to this significant moment, creating a serene environment where viewers are encouraged to pause and reflect.

Dr. Mahlangu’s contributions to contemporary art are recognized internationally, with

accolades from many leading institutions. Her recent mural unveiling at the Serpentine in London saw the institution honor her as “one of the most important artists of our time.” As she approaches her 89th birthday, she continues to reach new audiences, presenting Ukuthula Makube Nawe and a solo exhibition at SCOPE with The Melrose Gallery and a solo Kabinett at Art Basel Miami with The Jenkins Johnson Gallery. These exhibitions build on a year of celebrated activations, including BMW’s honoring her as artist of Frieze London 2024 and a solo show at 1-54 New York, solidifying her legacy.

This is a rare opportunity for art lovers to encounter the work of an icon whose legacy

extends to prominent collections worldwide, from the Brooklyn Museum to LACMA. Dr. Mahlangu’s art has become essential for collectors who seek its enduring peace and cultural significance, inspiring figures like John Legend, Usher, Leonardo DiCaprio, Trevor Noah and Pharrell Williams.

Through the support of The Melrose Gallery, Dr. Mahlangu’s exclusive global

representative, her practice continues to reach new audiences, fostering a vision of peace that transcends boundaries. As Dr. Mahlangu reflects, “When you view one of my paintings, it’s not so much a message that I am aiming to convey but rather a feeling of peace, balance, and harmony.”