Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern

Last exhibition of the year (I think).

Finally, I went to see Zanele Muholi's solo exhibition at Tate. I was looking forward to it. I studied her work a bit at uni and saw how it developed. And let me tell you, seeing their work from their start until now was a caring, intimate journey.

Muholi is a visual activist. From the early 2000s, they have documented and celebrated the lives of South Africa’s Black LGTBQ+ community. We are talking about photographs that allude traumatic events, and challenge stereotypes and taboos. Even the history of apartheid is there. But you find an intimate, loving, empowering journey. With all the portraits looking straight to the viewer like we are telling YOU our story.

It is so well curated. Can we talk about the room with all the wall filled up with black and white photographs, with all the eyes on you, and you walking by right in the middle? Like we are looking at you in case you have something to say. We can’t be judge anymore, we surround you. Such a brilliant move. And the sculptures are so majestic, it adds an extra layer to the photographs, a “touchable” presence.

It is good to see Muholi’s work in colour too although the black and white work has its big resonance. I always say that monochrome photography has so much to say and not only aesthetically. It allows us to explore a unique aspect of storytelling, as it can convey powerful emotions and moods without the distractions that colour images may cause.