Zanele Muholi is a South African LGBTQIA+ activist and among the most influential international photographers working today. ZAZISE means "to make oneself known" or "to gain information". Since the early 2000s, Muholi has documented the lives of black gender and sexual minorities in South Africa and across the globe.

The ZAZISE exhibition contains art from across two decades and offers a view into Muholi's self-portraits from different eras. Muholi's breakthrough work Only Half the Picture is concerned with South African minorities who have been victims of hate crimes. By striving to break away from stereotypical methods of depicting victimhood, Muholi's work provides a broader and more intimate angle into the lives of LGBTQIA+ people. In their self-portrait series Somnyama Ngonyama — "Hail the Dark Lioness" — Muholi investigates racism, exoticism, and sexual politics. The wearable installations and compositions of everyday objects are reminiscent of historical images from the era of colonialism.

What is my responsibility as a living being? – Muholi

How can art challenge the world around us?

Engage your senses with a guided tour of Zanele Muholi’s exhibition. Learn more about the works and hear background facts about the featured artist and their practice. We will start by watching the short parts of two films titled ‘Difficult Love’ and ‘We Live in Fear- Human Rights Watch’. Both are also part of the exhibit. The tour guide, Zara Asgher, will then take you through the exhibition where we will explore themes of identity, love, and resistance by having short group conversations to better indulge in the artwork.

Zara Asgher is an interdisciplinary visual artist and educator from Pakistan. She has participated in a group shows in Pakistan, Nepal, UAE, and India. She is currently completing her M.A. in Nordic Visual Studies and Art Education at Aalto University, Finland. Zara Asgher's practice is influenced by the themes of gender and sexuality and their relationship with public spaces.

The duration of the tour is approximately one and a half hours. The maximum number of participants is 10 for every tour and safety distances will be observed. The event will be held in English. It is free of charge. The event is open for young adults and adults.

During the tour, participants are encouraged to share their photos on Instagram using the hashtags #k1muholi #k1valokuvamuseo

A confirmation email and additional information will be sent to those who have successfully purchased the ticket. (NB: Please check your spam folder!) If you cannot attend, please email us so we can give the vacant spot to someone on the waiting list.

We abide by the safer space principles in all our events.

Cover image:

Zanele Muholi: Thathu I, The Sails, Durban 2019.

© Zanele Muholi. Courtesy of Stevenson, Amsterdam/Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York