Zanele Muholi

Zanele Muholi (Umlazi, 1972) is a South African visual activist whose photography, video, and installation work explores race, gender, and sexuality. Through her art, she has been highlighting and celebrating the lives of the LGBTIQ+ community in South Africa for over 20 years. Her work also documents realities in South African society such as homophobic violence, corrective rape, and the impact of HIV/AIDS. Trained at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg (2003), she earned a Master’s degree in Documentary Media from Ryerson University, Canada (2009). More than an artist, Muholi defines herself as a visual activist and is the founder of Inkanyiso, a platform dedicated to artistic education and the dissemination of LGBTIQ+ narratives. Her work has been recognized with awards such as the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography in New York and the Prince Claus Award, among others. His career, marked by a strong political commitment, has faced challenges such as government hostility and a burglary at his home after five years of work. Yet his voice continues to resonate strongly: his recent exhibition at London’s Tate Modern cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in contemporary photography and human rights activism.