The first female Art Car artist was Esther Mahlangu who painted a 525i in 1991. Mahlangu is from Ndebele tribe of South Africa. Ndebele women paint the outside walls of the tribe's houses. this is an ancient art form which is only practiced by women. Each pattern is significant. Says Mahlangu, "Ndebele art is naturally grandiose in form and only needed the concept of motion added." She says transferring the traditional mural painting to an automobile was both natural and challenging. "My art has evolved from the tribal tradition of decorating our homes. The patterns I have used on the BMW marry tradition to the essence of BMW." Mahlangu practiced on a door and then painted directly onto the white BMW. It took a little over a week to complete this Art Car.