Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern

Zanele Muholi’s work powerfully documents and celebrates the lives of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals in South Africa, challenging stereotypes and advocating for visibility and human rights. @Tate until 26/01/25 Visit:: https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/zanele-muholi

Zanele Muholi is widely recognized as a leading photographer, with their work showcased globally. This extensive exhibition features over 260 photographs, offering a comprehensive look at their career so far.

Muholi, who identifies as a visual activist, has been documenting the lives of South Africa’s Black LGBTQIA+ communities since the early 2000s. Their work in the series Only Half the Picture captures both moments of love and the harsh realities faced by these communities, despite the constitutional promises of equality in South Africa. In Faces and Phases, participants confront the viewer with direct gazes, creating a powerful archive of individuals who bravely live their truth amid ongoing violence and discrimination.

Other significant series by Muholi include Brave Beauties, highlighting the strength of non-binary people and trans women, and Being, which tenderly portrays couples challenging societal norms. In the ongoing series Somnyama Ngonyama, which means “Hail the Dark Lioness,” Muholi turns the lens on themself, producing powerful images that delve into issues like labor, racism, Eurocentrism, and sexual politics.

This exhibition builds on the artist’s 2020-21 show at Tate Modern and includes new works in photography and sculpture.