A new photo exhibition opening in Cape Town during Women's Month calls on viewers to rethink the concept of beauty, focusing not on redefining disability, but on the women behind it.
The international initiative The Bold Beauty Project, which celebrates women with disabilities, debuts in Africa with the exhibition 'As She Is'. It features portraits of 17 women from the Western Cape.
Instead of making disability the defining aspect of each participant's personality, the exhibition showcases personal stories and intimate portraits that emphasize individuality, ambition, resilience, and confidence.
This collection of images challenges long-held stereotypes regarding representation, visibility, and beauty. Originally founded in the United States by Shelly Baer and Dr. Eva Ritvo, The Bold Beauty Project has gained international recognition for using portrait photography to stimulate dialogue about dignity and inclusion. The project was previously exhibited in international venues, including the 61st Venice Biennale, before being adapted for the South African audience.
Leadership and Activism
Marlene le Roux II, a renowned South African cultural figure and disability rights advocate, author, and CEO of Artscape Theatre Centre, is the first person of color with a disability to lead this organization. She actively promotes social justice, inclusivity, and accessibility through art. Marlene advocates for the rights of people with disabilities and the LGBTQ+ community, transforming Artscape into a more open space and leading numerous national and international projects. Her constant commitment to empowering others has earned her many honorary doctorates and prestigious awards.
For the local showing, respected South African photographers collaborated with women from the Western Cape to create a new body of work reflecting the real experiences and diverse life journeys of women with disabilities in South Africa. Co-curator of the exhibition, disability rights activist Marlene Le Roux, believes the project encourages society to move beyond limiting perceptions.
She stated: 'People with disabilities should never be reduced to problems that need fixing or hiding from view. This project is dedicated to sensuality, strength, and the radical act of accepting oneself completely—with all the difficulties, all the scars, all the stories. It says: Look at her. See who she is. As she is.'
As discussions about diversity and representation become increasingly relevant, the exhibition highlights a group that remains underrepresented in mainstream media, fashion, and art. Rather than depicting disability through pity or inspiration, 'As She Is' invites visitors to engage with each woman as an individual whose identity extends far beyond a diagnosis or physical condition.
Jaret Loggenberg, Managing Director of The Artists Gallery and 33BREE, noted that the project aims to initiate long-term conversations about visibility and inclusion. He emphasized: 'Art has a unique ability to challenge perceptions without raising its voice. The Bold Beauty Project is not about disability; it is about visibility, dignity, and celebrating wonderful women as they are.'
The exhibition also reflects a growing movement in the arts aimed at amplifying historically ignored voices, using photography as a means of storytelling, not just documentation. In observance of Women's Month in South Africa, 'As She Is' serves as a reminder that representation is not just about being seen, but about being seen authentically. Through powerful portraits and deeply personal narratives, the exhibition prompts the public to question narrow definitions of beauty and embrace a broader understanding of humanity, confidence, and identity.
The exhibition 'As She Is' will open on August 5th at the Cape Town city centre, at 33BREE, and run until August 29th. Admission is free.
