Zanele Muholi is a visual activist who uses their artistic practice as a platform to confront viewers with the faces of people from the LGBTQ community in a state of simply being. A South African native, Zanele Muholi photographs and films portraits that are deeply informed by the artist’s advocacy for the queer community and vice versa. Moreover, over the course of their career, Muholi has thoroughly investigated the deep lack of connection between post-apartheid South Africa and the notions of equality promoted by its 1996 constitution, and ongoing acts of violence against the LGBTQ community.

Muholi’s photography seeks to shatter stereotypes and debunk misconceptions of the LGBTQ community by highlighting the multidimensionality of each of their subjects, whether they are in South Africa or abroad. Utilising the frontal pose of traditional portraiture, each black and white portrait and each sitter offer the viewer an insight into the raw emotion, depth, and agency reflected in their personhood. These works, often exhibited in multiplicity and as installations, remove the viewer's ability to look away from, ignore, and disregard a community that has historically been pushed to the margins, invoking instead the need to embrace their humanity.

Selection from Faces and Phases, 2007-2016
Synthesis of 27 digital photographs
Printed wallpaper on vinyl sticker, 533.9 x 240 cm

Anele Anza Khaba KwaThema Community Hall Springs Johannesburg, 2011
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Ayanda Magoloza Kwanele South Katlehong Johannesburg, 2012
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Charmain Carrol Parktown Johannesburg, 2013
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Collen Mfazwe August House Johannesburg, 2012
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Funeka Soldaat Makhaza Khayelitsha Cape Town, 2010
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Lerato Dumse KwaThema Springs Johannesburg, 2010
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Lerato Dumse KwaThema Springs Johannesburg, 2010
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Lungile Cleo Dladla KwaThema Community Hall Springs Johannesburg, 2011
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Nhlanhla Mofokeng Katlehong Johannesburg, 2012
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Nkunzi Nkabinde, ConCourt, Constitution Hill, 2016
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Nosipho Solundwana Parktown Johannesburg, 2007
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Penny Xoliswa Nkosi Berea Johannesburg, 2007
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Refiloe Pitso Daveyton Johannesburg, 2014
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Sacha Kalmplex Morrison Toronto, 2008
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Sebo Shabalala Umlazi Durban, 2011
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Sinenhlanhla Lunga Kwanele South Katlehong Johannesburg, 2012
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Siya Kolela Makhaza Khayelitsha Cape Town, 2011
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Skipper Mogapi District Six Cape Town, 2008
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Skipper Mogapi Gaborone Botswana, 2010
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Skye Chirape Brighton United Kingdom, 2010
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Teleka Bowden Toronto, 2008
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Thembi Nyoka Parktown Johannesburg, 2007
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Thobeka Mavundla Kwanele South Katlehong Johannesburg, 2012
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Tumi Mkhuma Yeoville Johannesburg, 2007
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Tumi Mokgosi Yeoville Johannesburg, 2007
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Xana Nyilenda Los Angeles, 2013
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Zanele Muholi II Parktown, Johannesburg, 2016
Digital photograph, 76.5 x 50.5 cm

Courtesy of the artist and Stevenson Gallery
Produced by Athens Biennale