Zanele Muholi

Visual activist Zanele Muholi's work is important and acclaimed. Back at the Tate after being cut short by lockdown, it's a must-see this year, says Amy Davies

- Amy Davies

Until 25 January 2025, Tate Modern, London. £18/concessions. See tate.org.uk.

The first major UK retrospective of the photographic artist Zanele Muholi has returned to the Tate Modern.

Comprising over 300 photographs, it looks at their career, from their very first project to their latest ongoing series.

Zanele first came to prominence in the UK with their photoraphs telling the stories of Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queen and intersex lives in South Africa. Their images act as a challenge to the accepted dominant ideology, giving empowerment to the subjects who are often victims of prejudice, intolerance and violence.

This exhibition originally opened at Tate Modern in 2020, but ended up being cut short by the national lockdown. It’s therefore fantastic that it has been able to return, with it being revised and expanded following a hugely successful tour across Europe.

Included in the show are projects including Only Half the Picture, where Zanele explores the complex ideas surrounding gender and sexuality for the queer community. Faces and Phases is a celebration of Black lesbians, transgender and gender non-conforming people – in this series, each participant looks directly at the camera giving the viewer pause to hold their gaze.