Southern Guild Los Angeles presents ‘ZANELE MUHOLI,’ an exhibition that explores the life and creative journey of the visual activist and artist, on display until July 13th.
Zanele Muholi, a South African visual activist and photographer, has been documenting the lives of black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex communities in various townships. Launched in 2006, her project “Faces and Phases” aims to create a visual history of these communities, documenting their resistance and existence amidst hate crimes. Muholi’s images challenge and change negative perceptions and stigma surrounding queer identities in African society.
The exhibition invites viewers to engage critically with their surroundings, using art to reimagine identity and redefine personal agency. Muholi’s work, including self-portraits and bronze sculptures, reflects their ancestral history, personal experiences, and individual traumas. The exhibition, “Hail the Dark Lioness,” translates the Zulu words ‘Somnyama’ (black) and ‘Ngonyama’ (lion), which is also their maternal surname.
Muholi’s sculptures, including visceral depictions of their genitalia and reproductive organs, reflect their experiences with gender and medical misconceptions in their community. The bronze sculptures, juxtaposed with self-portraits in clerical robes, redefine sanctity and promote a deeper connection to and acceptance of one’s body, advocating for informed and inclusive healthcare.
‘ZANELE MUHOLI’ is a dialogue between the artist, the subject matter, and the audience. It is complemented by a monograph published by Southern Guild, which includes scholarly essays and interviews that delve into Muholi’s shift in focus from capturing others to portraying themselves.
Southern Guild, established in 2008, represents contemporary African artists, focusing on themes like cultural preservation and ecology. It expanded to Los Angeles in 2024 and supports artists through education and collaboration. The gallery promotes a culture of exchange and interconnectedness.
Source: Southern Guild
