In the early series Only Half the Picture, they capture moments of love and intimacy, as well as intense images alluding to traumatic events. Despite the equality promised by South Africa’s 1996 constitution, its LGBTQIA+ community remains a target for violence and prejudice.

In Faces and Phases each participant looks directly at the camera, challenging the viewer to hold their gaze. These images and the accompanying testimonies form a growing archive of a community of people who are risking their lives by living authentically in the face of oppression and discrimination.

Other key series of works include Brave Beauties, which celebrates empowered non-binary people and trans women, many of whom have won Miss Gay Beauty pageants, and Being, a series of tender images of couples which challenge stereotypes and taboos.

In the ongoing series Somnyama Ngonyama – translated as ‘Hail the Dark Lioness’ - Muholi turns the camera on themself. These powerful and reflective images explore themes including labour, racism, Eurocentrism and sexual politics. Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness, Volume II (by Aperture) was recently launched at Southern Guild Los Angeles where Muholi’s latest solo ZANELE MUHOLI is currently on show. The release event followed a panel discussion, 'The Unflinching Gaze: The Image, The Archive, and the Aesthetics of Resistance', where Muholi was in conversation with LACMA curator Britt Salvesen and artist Catherine Opie.

Installation images: Zanele Muholi at Tate Modern, 2024 © Tate photography (Larina Fernandes)