The prestigious photography prize recognizes the South African artist’s powerful documentation of Black queer life.
Recognition for a Leading Voice in Contemporary Photography
South African photographer and visual activist Zanele Muholi has been named the recipient of the 2026 Hasselblad Award, one of the most prestigious honors in the world of photography. Known for creating striking portraits that explore identity, visibility and belonging, Muholi’s work has become a defining force in contemporary visual culture.
Born in Umlazi during the apartheid era, Muholi now works between Johannesburg and Cape Town. They studied advanced photography at the Market Photo Workshop in Johannesburg and later earned an MFA in documentary media from Ryerson University in Toronto. Over the past two decades, their work has been exhibited internationally at institutions such as Tate Modern, Fotografiska Shanghai, the International Center of Photography and the Venice Biennale.
Photography as Activism and Cultural Archive
Muholi’s photography goes beyond traditional portraiture. Their work acts as a visual archive that documents and celebrates Black queer communities while confronting the historical erasure of Black bodies in visual culture.
Through powerful imagery and intentional storytelling, Muholi combines artistic precision with political urgency. Their portraits highlight dignity, identity and resilience while challenging the stereotypes and discrimination that have shaped representations of marginalized communities.
Muholi has described their practice as an act of visibility and resistance, explaining that the work is meant to create a lasting record so future generations cannot ignore the lives and stories of those who were historically overlooked.
Landmark Series and Upcoming Exhibition
Among Muholi’s most influential projects is Faces and Phases, an ongoing series launched in 2006 that documents lesbian, transgender and gender nonconforming individuals as a response to systemic violence and discrimination. Another widely recognized body of work is Somnyama Ngonyama, also known as Hail the Dark Lioness, a series of self portraits that explore themes of dignity, performance and empowerment through references to fashion photography and historical portraiture.
The Hasselblad Award includes a prize of 2,000,000 Swedish kronor, a gold medal and a Hasselblad camera. As part of the honor, Muholi will also be the focus of a major solo exhibition at the Hasselblad Center in Gothenburg, Sweden. The exhibition will open on October 10 and run through April 4, 2027.
