Zanele Muholi's Visual Activism: Portraits of South African LGBTQ Lives and Upcoming Exhibitions

Zanele Muholi, a photographer from Durban, South Africa, was born in 1972 and has dedicated over 15 years to championing LGBTQ rights through her art. In 2002, she co-founded the Forum for the Empowerment of Women and later attended the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg. Her series, Faces and Phases, which began in 2006, showcases black-and-white portraits of South African lesbians and trans men, culminating in a 2014 book with 258 images. Muholi's work highlights critical issues such as corrective rape and HIV, celebrating pride and resilience. Significant exhibitions include Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama at Wentrup in Berlin (until June 24, 2017) and solo displays at the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam (July 8 - October 15, 2017) and Autograph ABP in London (July 14 - October 20, 2017).