Internationally acclaimed photographer Zanele Muholi is set to present a special exhibition, "Sibaningi," and a book launch in Johannesburg, marking 20 years of their ongoing Faces and Phases project. The exhibition, which opens at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown on October 17, showcases Muholi's photographic work documenting Black LGBTQIA+ lives. This project began in Johannesburg in 2006, growing from Muholi's desire to create a visual record of Black lesbian, transgender, and gender-nonconforming people.
Muholi's Faces and Phases project has developed into an extensive photographic archive, focusing on the identities, relationships, work, communities, and everyday lives of its subjects. Rather than documenting people only through stories of discrimination and violence, the portraits highlight the complexities of their lives. The project also captures the passage of time, with Muholi returning to photograph some participants years after their first portraits, allowing viewers to see how people and their circumstances change.
The title Sibaningi, which means "we are many" in isiZulu, reflects the idea behind bringing the work back to Johannesburg. For Muholi, the photographs are part of a wider effort to ensure that Black LGBTQIA+ people are seen and remembered on their own terms. This project is a record of lives unfolding over two decades, showcasing the diversity and resilience of its subjects.
On October 9, Muholi will receive the 2026 Hasselblad Award in Gothenburg, Sweden, becoming the first Black queer African photographer to receive this prestigious award. A solo exhibition of Muholi's work will also open at the Hasselblad Center in Gothenburg on October 10 and run until April 2027. This recognition highlights Muholi's contribution to photography and their work around visibility, dignity, and representation.
The Johannesburg exhibition will include earlier portraits alongside later images, as well as new faces continuing the project. It will also coincide with the launch of a book centred on the Faces and Phases body of work. For Muholi, bringing the work back to the city where it began creates a full-circle moment, as a project that started in 2006 as an effort to build a record of lives and experiences now returns to Johannesburg after gaining international recognition.
Sibaningi is produced by the Muholi Art Institute and curated by Lufuno Ramadwa. The exhibition opens on Saturday, October 17, at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, with Muholi speaking at midday, followed by the exhibition opening. Entry is free, and the exhibition will run until December 5. This event provides an opportunity for the community to engage with Muholi's work and celebrate the diversity of Black LGBTQIA+ lives.
Muholi's achievement is a testament to the power of photography in promoting visibility and representation. As they stated, "This prize is not mine alone. I carry it with the many faces, names, and histories that have trusted me with their stories." The Faces and Phases project continues to inspire and educate, providing a platform for marginalized voices to be heard.
Key points
- Zanele Muholi's Faces and Phases project showcases 20 years of photographic work documenting Black LGBTQIA+ lives.
- Muholi will receive the 2026 Hasselblad Award in Gothenburg, Sweden, on October 9.
- The Sibaningi exhibition will open at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown on October 17, featuring earlier and new portraits, as well as a book launch.
