SA artist and visual activist Zanele Muholi returns to the Tate Modern in London with a groundbreaking new exhibition, marking their second showcase at this world-renowned gallery. Featuring over 260 works, the exhibition offers a deep dive into Muholi’s career and the urgent stories their art tells.
The exhibition, which runs until January 26, 2025, is a major moment for Muholi, whose art documents the lives of SA’s Black lesbian, gay, trans, queer, and intersex communities.
Muholi uses their lens to document lives that are often ignored or misrepresented. This body of work spans decades, capturing moments of intimacy, love, resistance, and empowerment, while confronting the harsh realities of prejudice and violence still faced by these communities despite constitutional promises of equality.
Highlights of the exhibition include Faces and Phases, a poignant series where individuals stare directly into the camera, demanding to be seen and acknowledged. Somnyama Ngonyama (Hail the Dark Lioness) sees Muholi step in front of the camera, using their own image to explore themes like racism, labour, and sexual politics. These self-portraits are as confrontational as they are deeply personal, inviting audiences to reflect on power and identity.
This new showcase also includes fresh photographic and sculptural works, expanding on their 2020-21 Tate Modern exhibition. It solidifies Muholi’s place not only as an artist but as a storyteller for communities fighting for recognition and respect.
The exhibition is a significant moment, both for South Africa’s art scene and global conversations about identity, representation, and activism.
This revised version of the exhibition also reflects Muholi’s international acclaim, following a record-breaking European tour and solo shows at prestigious venues like the South African Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and the Maison Européenne de la Photographie in Paris.
Based in Cape Town, Muholi is not just an artist but a community advocate. Their work is deeply rooted in outreach and education, including the founding of the Muholi Art Institute in 2021, which fosters emerging talent in South Africa.
Why It Matters
Muholi’s art goes beyond aesthetics—it’s a call to action. It preserves the stories of those who are often erased and sparks dialogue about systemic injustice. By exhibiting in spaces like Tate Modern, Muholi continues to amplify these narratives on an international stage.
Visit the Tate Modern’s website for more information.
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