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Zanele Muholi: Exploring Black Queer Identity Through Powerful Photography at Foto Arsenal Wien

This exhibition at Foto Arsenal Wien showcases compelling visual narratives as an act of political and personal resistance.

Experience the profound work of Zanele Muholi, a leading contemporary photographer, in this significant exhibition at Foto Arsenal Wien. Delve into compelling visual narratives that critically examine Black queer identity within the South African context. Muholi's art challenges colonial and racist frameworks, prompting vital reflection on power dynamics and cultural memory through striking portraiture.

About Zanele Muholi at Foto Arsenal Wien in Vienna

Read curatorial context and practical visitor information for Zanele Muholi at Foto Arsenal Wien in Vienna

Exhibition summary

This exhibition showcases the work of Zanele Muholi, a prominent contemporary photographer whose work functions as a political and personal act of resistance. The exhibition highlights Black queer identity in South Africa, challenging colonial and racist narratives and prompting reflection on power structures and memory. It features an extensive selection of early and contemporary works, marking its first presentation in Austria.

Curatorial context

Zanele Muholi, recognized as one of today's most significant photographers, employs photography as a potent instrument of resistance, both politically and personally, aiming to dismantle colonial and racist frameworks. Since the early 2000s, Muholi's artistic practice has been dedicated to exploring and centering Black queer identity within the South African context. Their work serves as a call for critical examination of enduring power structures and the often-overlooked cultures of remembrance, demanding visibility and challenging dominant historical accounts. This exhibition, presented for the first time in Austria, offers a comprehensive overview of Muholi's artistic journey, featuring an extensive selection of both their formative early works and significant contemporary pieces. Through these powerful visual narratives, the exhibition aims to engage visitors in a dialogue about representation, identity, and the role of art in social and political transformation. The exhibition is presented in cooperation with the Deutsche Börse Photography Foundation and Sammlung Verbund.

Zanele Muholi key exhibition facts

Review exhibition status, schedule, venue context, and attribution details for Zanele Muholi at Foto Arsenal Wien in Vienna

Venue
Foto Arsenal Wien
Current status
Open now
Exhibition schedule
Sep 19, 2026 – Jan 10, 2027
Artist line / attribution
Featuring the work of Zanele Muholi, one of the most renowned photographers of the present day.
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