The Light We Carry: A group exhibition celebrating Pan African voices

5 Nov 2025 - 15 Jan 2026
The Light We Carry 
A Group Exhibition Celebrating African Creativity

The Light We Carry brings together a dynamic constellation of artists whose practices reflect the enduring radiance of African creativity. Anchored by the works of the global icon, Dr. Esther Mahlangu as we celebrate her 90th birthday, the exhibition honours the generational light that artists across the continent continue to carry, transform and pass forward.

Through painting, sculpture and photography, each artist contributes to a shared dialogue about identity, spirit and the power of creation. Dr. Esther Mahlangu’s bold geometry and colour symbolism serve as both inspiration and foundation; echoed in Ndabuko Ntuli’s sculptural works: textured heads and vessels that merge earth, ancestry and abstraction and in Aza Mansongi’s gestural explorations of womanhood and energy. Ayanda Mabulu’s compositions that interrogate power and truth; Vusi Beauchamp and Edozie Anedu extend the conversation with expressive form and cultural hybridity.

Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku and Mederic Turay channel spiritual rhythm and identity through layered figuration; Dr. Willie Bester’s assemblages lend a powerful voice to social conscience. Noria Mabasa’s bronze works, cast from her clay figures, preserve the tactile memory of tradition whilst Clint Strydom’s photographic series translate light and motion into meditations on human connection. Sculptors André Stead, Mark Swart and Mark Meyer reimagine the human form through balance, structure and poise.

Nicola Roos presents her Obsidian Samurai, a monumental mixed-media figures crafted from recycled rubber and found materials that evoke the mytho-historical African samurai figure of Yasuke. Arlene Amaler‑Raviv offers her abstract story-telling canvases: layered, emotional meditations on displacement, transition and the voices beneath urban flux.

Together, these artists illuminate the profound, collective inheritance of African art; one that transcends borders, generations and disciplines.
  • Esther Mahlangu, Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Esther Mahlangu
    Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Acrylic on canvas
    200 x 200 x 7 cm
    $ 40,000.00
  • Esther Mahlangu, Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Esther Mahlangu
    Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    120cm x 120cm
    $ 28,000.00
    The Melrose Gallery
  • Esther Mahlangu, Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Esther Mahlangu
    Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    120 x 120 cm
  • Esther Mahlangu, Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Esther Mahlangu
    Ndebele Abstract, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    80cm x 120cm
    $ 20,000.00
    The Melrose Gallery
  • Esther Mahlangu, Ndbele Abstract, 2024
    Esther Mahlangu
    Ndbele Abstract, 2024
    Acrylic on Canvas
    60 x 90 cm
    $ 15,000.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Esther Mahlangu, Ndbele Abstract, 2024
    Esther Mahlangu
    Ndbele Abstract, 2024
    Acrylic on Canvas
    60 x 90 cm
    $ 15,000.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Esther Mahlangu, Vessel , 2025
    Esther Mahlangu
    Vessel , 2025
    Acrylic on GRP
    20 x 40 cm
  • Esther Mahlangu, Vessel , 2025
    Esther Mahlangu
    Vessel , 2025
    Acrylic on GRP
    20 x 40 cm
  • Vusi Beauchamp, Welcome Home, 2021
    Vusi Beauchamp
    Welcome Home, 2021
    Mixed Medium on Canvas
    192 x 200 cm
    R 161,000.00
  • Aza Mansongi, Under the Wing, 2025
    Aza Mansongi
    Under the Wing, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    60 x 60 cm
  • Aza Mansongi, Three voices , one taste, 2025
    Aza Mansongi
    Three voices , one taste, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    60 x 60 cm
    $ 1,610.00
  • Aza Mansongi, Faces of Labor, 2025
    Aza Mansongi
    Faces of Labor, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    100 x 100 cm
  • Aza Mansongi, Beneath the Veuls of Silence, 2025
    Aza Mansongi
    Beneath the Veuls of Silence, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    100x 100 cm
    $ 3,910.00
  • Aza Mansongi, The throne of time, 2025
    Aza Mansongi
    The throne of time, 2025
    Acrylic on Canvas
    100 x 80 cm
  • Ayanda Mabulu, The Load, 2025
    Ayanda Mabulu
    The Load, 2025
    Oil on Canvas (Framed)
    194 x 161 cm
    $ 31,625.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Sam Brown, Kimono, 2024
    Sam Brown
    Kimono, 2024
    Mixed Medium on Canvas
    170 x 110 x 5 cm
    R 103,500.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Two In Paradise, 2023
    Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku
    Two In Paradise, 2023
    Acrylic on canvas
    118 x 189 cm
    $ 6,550.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku, Boy In Paradise, 2022
    Oscar Korbla Mawuli Awuku
    Boy In Paradise, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    153 x 153 cm
    $ 6,570.00
  • Akilah Watts, Nexus, 2021
    Akilah Watts
    Nexus, 2021
    Acrylic on canvas
    152 x 122 x 2.5 cm
    $ 11,500.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Akilah Watts, Provenience, 2021
    Akilah Watts
    Provenience, 2021
    Acrylic on canvas
    108 x 79 x 4.5 cm
    $ 5,750.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Clint Strydom, Signal , 2025
    Clint Strydom
    Signal , 2025
    Hahnemule Photorag
    Archival Print
    Diasec
    Black Wood Frame
    200 x 150 cm
    Edition of 10 plus 2 artist's proofs
  • Clint Strydom, The Game , 2025
    Clint Strydom
    The Game , 2025
    Hahnemule Photorag
    Archival Print
    Diasec
    Black Wood Frame
    150 x 200 cm
    Edition of 10 plus 2 AP (#1/10)
  • Denis Mubiru, Tales of the past, 2022
    Denis Mubiru
    Tales of the past, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    120 x 120 cm
    $ 3,680.00
  • Denis Mubiru, The wanderer on the clouds, 2022
    Denis Mubiru
    The wanderer on the clouds, 2022
    Acrylic on canvas
    120 x 120 cm
    $ 3,680.00
  • Gideon Appah, Faded Wall
    Gideon Appah
    Faded Wall
    Mixed media & collage
    146 x 110 cm
  • Samson Mnisi, Gold Window
    Samson Mnisi
    Gold Window
    Acrylic & mixed media
    122 x 154 cm
    R 70,000.00
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Footprint, 2019
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Footprint, 2019
    Oil on Canvas
    180 x 180 x 4 cm
    R 92,000.00
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Untitled, 2023
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Untitled, 2023
    Acrylic on Canvas
    70 x 70 x 3 cm
    R 34,500.00
  • Arlene Amaler-Raviv, Untitled, 2020
    Arlene Amaler-Raviv
    Untitled, 2020
    Oil on canvas
    71 x 71 cm
    R 51,750.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Edozie Anedu, Abacus Head, 2022
    Edozie Anedu
    Abacus Head, 2022
    Acrylic and oil on canvas
    190 x 180 x 5 cm
    $ 8,230.53
  • Edozie Anedu, In between fame and flowers, 2019
    Edozie Anedu
    In between fame and flowers, 2019
    Acrylic and pastel on canvas
    120 x 90 cm
    R 36,000.00
  • Mederic Turay, Cave Traces, 2024
    Mederic Turay
    Cave Traces, 2024
    Mixed Media on Canvas
    150 x 150 cm
    $ 15,180.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Gavin Rain, Lottie
    Gavin Rain
    Lottie
    Acrylic on canvas
    120 x 120 x 5 cm
    € 16,560.00
  • Nicola Roos, Obsidian Samurai XXXII, 2024
    Nicola Roos
    Obsidian Samurai XXXII, 2024
    Mixed media
    236 x 65 x 100 cm

    R 460,000.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Pierre Fourie, Untitled , 2025
    Pierre Fourie
    Untitled , 2025
    Aluminum
    235 x 100 cm
    R 333,500.00
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Mark Swart, Golden Ribbon, 2025
    Mark Swart
    Golden Ribbon, 2025
    Painted Metal
    76 x 90 x 76 cm
    R 41,400.00
  • Mark Swart, Sweetie Paper, 2025
    Mark Swart
    Sweetie Paper, 2025
    Painted Metal
    190 x 50 x 50 cm
    R 151,800.00
  • Marke Meyer, Betwixt & Between, 2025
    Marke Meyer
    Betwixt & Between, 2025
    Bronze with granite base
    65 x 70 x 28 cm
    Edition of 12 (#2/12)
  • Marke Meyer, Here & Now, 2025
    Marke Meyer
    Here & Now, 2025
    Bronze with granite base
    65 x 70 x 22 cm
    Edition of 12 (#2/12)
  • Marke Meyer, Living Lightly, 2025
    Marke Meyer
    Living Lightly, 2025
    Bronze with granite base
    65 x 75 x 20 cm
    Edition of 12 (#2/12)
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Mancishana, 2024
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Mancishana, 2024
    Mixed Media
    42 x 35 x 35 cm
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Umbhojoselwa, 2024
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Umbhojoselwa, 2024
    Mixed Media
    42 x 35 x 35 cm
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Igula lamaguqa, 2024
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Igula lamaguqa, 2024
    Mixed Media
    40 x 36 x 36 cm
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Iqhikiza lezintombi, 2025
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Iqhikiza lezintombi, 2025
    Mixed Media
    52 x 78 x 40 cm
  • Ndabuko Ntuli, Qhawekazi , 2025
    Ndabuko Ntuli
    Qhawekazi , 2025
    Mixed Media
    46 x 93 x 61 cm
  • Dr. Willie Bester, Fragile
    Dr. Willie Bester
    Fragile
    46,5 x 35 x 65 cm
    R 95,000.01
  • Dr. Willie Bester, Yellow can boy playing with water, 2022
    Dr. Willie Bester
    Yellow can boy playing with water, 2022
    Yellow can
    Oil on canvas
    46 x 34 x 7 cm
  • Kevin Brand, 38th parallel, 2020
    Kevin Brand
    38th parallel, 2020
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Kevin Brand, Flotsam, 2020
    Kevin Brand
    Flotsam, 2020
    146 x 46 x 20 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery
  • Paul Du Toit, Twins 2115
    Paul Du Toit
    Twins 2115
    Oil and Acrylic pasted on Polymer wood
    59 x 40 x 20 cm
    R 55,000.00
  • Vusi Beauchamp, Saints and Sinners , 2022
    Vusi Beauchamp
    Saints and Sinners , 2022
    Mixed Medium on Canvas
    192 x 190 cm
    Courtesy of The Melrose Gallery