Azu Nwagbogu – författare

A captivating exploration of the life and work of the iconic South African artist Esther Mahlangu, one of the great innovators of Pan-African Contemporary Art. 'Esther Mahlangu is one of the most important artists of our time who continues to inspire artists all over the world. Mahlangu is a visionary who brings art into society' Hans Ulrich Obrist Esther Mahlangu (b. 1935) is globally acclaimed for her bright and bold abstract paintings that are rooted in South African Ndbele art. She was a disruptor from an early age, becoming the first person to reimagine her visual heritage, historically used for decorating houses, on painting media such as canvas. Mahlangu is one of the most influential artists of Pan-African Contemporary Art. Esther Mahlangu: To Paint is in My Heart celebrates Mahlangu’s remarkable journey as a pioneer and innovator of contemporary African art, whose vibrant and distinctive paintings have captured the hearts of many worldwide. Through a series of interviews with Mahlangu conducted by Thomas Girst, Azu Nwagbogu and Hans Ulrich Obrist, readers will gain insight into her creative process, inspiration, and the cultural significance of her work – in the artist’s own words. With a preface by Nontobeko Ntombela, the curator of Mahlangu’s major 2024 travelling retrospective, this book presents stunning visuals and engaging narratives, offering an inspiring experience to the reader.

A bold and dynamic survey of contemporary street photography from across Africa, featuring leading image makers shaping a vibrant and exciting genre. Energetic, colourful, experimental: street photography across Africa has a well-established and complex history, and its own unique dynamic. From classic compositions of architecture, people and movement, to street-style portraits and photographs of youth culture, music and dance – the street becomes a stage. It’s about identity, personality and storytelling: friends skateboarding, a chance encounter, the hustle and bustle of megacities. Selected and introduced by acclaimed curators of photography, Street Photography Africa presents the work of over thirty of the continent’s most exciting practitioners, interleaved with discussions of the locations, themes and communities that underpin Africa’s contemporary photography scene.