It’s one of the most exciting exhibitions of this month in Paris. Since January 31st, The MEP is presenting the first retrospective in France dedicated to Zanele Muholi, the internationally renowned South African photographer and activist whose work documents and celebrates the Black LGBTQIA+ community. This major event, which brings together more than 200 photographs and videos created since the early 2000s as well as numerous archival materials, covers the full breadth of Muholi’s career to date, honoring one of the most acclaimed queer artists working today.

Zanele Muholi defines themself as a “visual activist”, using the camera as a tool to confront and repair injustice. During the 1990s, South Africa underwent a significant social and political change, democracy was established in 1994 with the abolition of apartheid; this was followed by a new constitution in 1996, the first in the world to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation. Despite this progress, the Black LGBTQIA+ community remains the target of violence and prejudice to this day.

Muholi is deeply involved in this community, and their photographic work is inseparable from their life and their activism. Telling stories that are both individual and collective, the artist hopes to give visibility to their community while challenging conventional stereotypes and representations. Bringing to light the uniqueness and diversity of the individuals they picture, Muholi emphasizes their courage and dignity in the face of intolerance and discrimination.
These photographs encourage viewers to address their own misconceptions. Together they create a new lexicon of positive imagery for under and misrepresented communities, promoting mutual understanding and respect. On view til May 21st.

Candice Nkosi, Durban, 2020
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Yaya Mavundla, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2014
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Collen Mfazwe, August House, Johannesburg, 2012
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Mbali Zulu KwaThema, Springs Johannesburg, 2010
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Mpho Nefuri, Pretoria North, Gauteng, 2018
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Triple III, 2005
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Miss D’vine I, 2007
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

Buzile, IGSM, Boston, 2019
Courtesy of the Artist and Stevenson, Cape Town/Johannesburg and Yancey Richardson, New York © Zanele Muholi

More info HERE!