This September, luxury vodka brand Belvedere hosted an event in Chicago unlike any other. Pairing up with long-term partner, RED, the two organizations brought renowned artist, 82 year-0ld Esther Mahlangu to teach an art class to privileged guests at the Dusable Museum of African American History near the University of Chicago.
Mahlangu, is known for her large-scale geometric artistry that reflects the vivacious patterns and colors often worn by the Ndebele tribe. Through perfecting her skill since the early age of 10, Mahlangu garnered attention when she was commissioned by luxury car behemoth, BMW to create an art car that referenced similar motifs of the Ndebele tribe. Since then, Mahlangu has gained celebrity and recognition internationally. She works tirelessly to cultivate her artistry and share her enthusiasm for the craft with younger generations.
At the Dusable Museum event, guests witnessed Mahlangu live, in action, as she sat seated on the floor with her canvas and materials laid before her. Guests were then invited to create on their own canvas in tandem with Mahlangu and learn from the distinguished artist in this private class.
Now, the celebrated artist has joined forces with Belvedere and popular musician, John Legend to fight the war on aids with RED, an organization that is leading the charge to eliminate AIDS for our generation. This year, Mahlangu and Legend collaborated to create a special edition Belvedere bottle that weaves four symbols that are the foundation of the Belvedere RED campaign: unity, change, support and security as well as channeling the iconic motifs associated with Mahlangu’s artistic style.
As a woman whose community in South Africa has been deeply affected by the tragedies of malaria and HIV, Mahlangu is deeply pleased to collaborate with Belvedere, RED and Legend to unite passion and energy against a cause near to her heart.
Over the past five years, Belvedere and RED have helped to give 12 million days of lifesaving ARV drugs and helped 30,000 HIV positive women give birth to healthy babies. The partnership with Mahlangu and creation of the special edition Belvedere bottle in collaboration with John Legend will help wage the war against AIDS and more importantly, all proceeds will go to provide life saving AIDS medicine to those in need.
Creative Credits
- Written by
- Kara Perconti
- Image courtesy
- Republic Records
- Image courtesy
- Guest of a Guest
