Internationally recognized photographer and Hasselblad 2026 award recipient, Zanelle Muholi, is organizing a special exhibition 'Sibaningi' and a book presentation in Johannesburg. Muholi is bringing two decades of her photographic work, which documents the lives of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals, back to Johannesburg shortly after receiving one of the world's largest photography awards.
The visual activist and photographer will open 'Sibaningi' at Market Photo Workshop in Newtown on October 17, marking the 20th anniversary of the 'Faces and Phases' project. The timing of the exhibition is particularly significant as Muholi will receive the Hasselblad 2026 Award in Gothenburg, Sweden, on October 9. She becomes the first Black queer African photographer to receive this prestigious award, which recognizes contributions to photography and work on themes of visibility, dignity, and representation.
A separate solo exhibition of Muholi's work will also take place at the Hasselblad Center in Gothenburg on October 10 and run until April 2027. However, before 'Faces and Phases' gained international recognition, it began in Johannesburg in 2006. Muholi studied at Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, and the project arose from a desire to create a visual chronicle of the lives of Black lesbians, transgender people, and gender non-conforming individuals whose lives were often absent from mainstream imagery.
Over the years, 'Faces and Phases' has evolved into an extensive photo archive. Instead of focusing exclusively on stories of discrimination and violence, the portraits emphasize identity, relationships, work, communities, and the daily lives of people. The project also captures the passage of time, as Muholi returns to photograph some participants years after the initial shoots, allowing viewers to observe changes in people and their circumstances. Thus, the series goes beyond a mere collection of portraits, becoming a chronicle of life unfolding over two decades.
The title 'Sibaningi,' which translates from isiZulu as 'we many,' reflects the idea of returning this work to Johannesburg. For Muholi, these photographs are part of broader efforts to ensure that Black LGBTQIA+ individuals are seen and remembered on their own terms. After receiving the Hasselblad award, Muholi stated: 'This award is not mine alone. I carry it with many faces, names, and stories who entrusted me with their narratives.'
The Johannesburg exhibition will feature both early and later shots, as well as new faces continuing the project. It will also coincide with the launch of a book dedicated to the entire body of work of 'Faces and Phases.' For Muholi, the return of the work to the city where it began marks a full circle: a project launched in 2006 as an attempt to chronicle lives and experiences is now returning to Johannesburg after gaining international recognition.
The 'Sibaningi' exhibition is produced by Muholi Art Institute, with curatorial direction by Lufuno Ramadwa. The opening will take place on Saturday, October 17, at Market Photo Workshop in Newtown. Muholi will speak at noon, followed by the exhibition opening. Admission is free, and the exhibition will run until December 5.