Zanele Muholi

Muholi is a South African visual activist and photographer. For over a decade they have documented Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people’s lives in various townships in South Africa.

Zanele Muholi
"Babaza I", Philadelphia, (From the series "Somnyama Ngontama") 2019
Laser exposed silver print
68 x 85 cm

Survey

  • Somnyama III, Paris, 2014

    From the series Somnyama Ngonyama, gelatin silver print, 33 x 24 1/2 inches.

  • Sebenzile, Parktown, 2016

    From the series Somnyama Ngonyama. Gelatin silver print, 27 1/2 x 24 inches.

  • Ntozabantu VI, Parktown, 2016

    From the series Somnyama Ngonyama. Site-specific photographic mural, dimensions variable.

  • Zamile, KwaThema, 2016

    From the series Somnyama Ngonyama. Gelatin silver print, 39 1/2 x 30 1/2 inches. 

Biography

Muholi was born in Umlazi, Durban and lives in Cape Town. They studied Advanced Photography at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg, and in 2009 completed an MFA: Documentary Media at Ryerson University, Toronto. Muholi has won numerous awards including the ICP Infinity Award for Documentary and Photojournalism (2016); Africa'Sout! Courage and Creativity Award (2016); the Outstanding International Alumni Award from Ryerson University (2016); the Fine Prize for an emerging artist at the 2013 Carnegie International; and a Prince Claus Award (2013), among others. Muholi’s work has been exhibited at Documenta 13; the South African Pavilion at the 55th Venice Biennale; and the 29th São Paulo Biennale.