Zanele Muholi Honored with Prestigious Hasselblad Photography Award
“Qiniso,” The Sails, Durban, 2019
Within the realm of photography, there exist very few—if any—honors that rival the prestige of the [Hasselblad Award](https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/en/hasselblad-priset-2/about-the-hasselblad-award/). Awarded annually by Sweden’s [Hasselblad Foundation](https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/en/), this accolade has celebrated some of the most innovative photographers globally since 1983, featuring names like Nan Goldin, Alfredo Jaar, Cindy Sherman, Dayanita Singh, Carrie Mae Weems, and Wolfgang Tillmans, among others. Now, the Göteborg-based entity [has revealed](https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/en/hasselblad-award-winner-2026/) its latest honoree: [Zanele Muholi](https://www.instagram.com/muholizanele/?hl=en).
Born in 1972 in Umlazi, South Africa, Muholi has skillfully intertwined visual storytelling and activism throughout their career. Central to their work is a deep respect for their subjects, many of whom are from South Africa’s Black queer community. By documenting Black lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex experiences, Muholi has challenged their nation’s persistent violence and discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, all while promoting visibility and dignity. This unwavering advocacy is rooted in the photographer’s upbringing during South Africa’s apartheid era.
“Muholi employs portraiture to express and honor the existence, richness, and dignity of the Black LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa and globally,” states the Hasselblad Foundation. “Activism and community engagement form a vital component of their work, blending political urgency with formal finesse, making Muholi a pivotal figure in international queer visual culture.”
Kalle Sanner, the CEO of the foundation, reflects this sentiment: “In their artistic endeavors, Muholi merges photography with activism, crafting impactful and meaningful works in which human rights are paramount.”
One of Muholi’s most significant projects is Faces and Phases, initiated in 2006. This ongoing series portrays Black lesbian and transgender individuals, all with the [self-identified objective](https://www.yanceyrichardson.com/artists/zanele-muholi) of “re-writ[ing] a Black queer and trans visual history of South Africa for the world to understand our resistance.” Other notable projects include Only half the Picture (2003–04), where Muholi chronicle the lives of lesbians and hate-crime survivors, in addition to Brave Beauties (2014–), which honors trans women. Regardless of the theme, each of Muholi’s photographs captivates, skillfully blending composition and color to seize our focus.
“The portraits highlight individuals with a direct and dignified expression, confronting bias and discrimination while constructing alternative visual narratives,” the foundation clarifies.
As the 2026 Hasselblad Award recipient, Muholi will be awarded 2,000,000 SEK (approximately $216,600), a gold medal, and a Hasselblad camera. They will receive the award during a ceremony at the Hasselblad Center on October 9, which will be succeeded by a solo exhibition open from October 10, 2026, to April 24, 2027. Additionally, in October, Muholi will host an artist talk at Moderna Museet in Stockholm.
“This award is not mine alone. I bear it with the countless faces, names, and histories that have entrusted me with their narratives,” Muholi expressed. “When this recognition arrives, I accept it on behalf of my community; those who have been erased, those who remain, and those yet to witness themselves reflected with dignity.”
Photographer **Zanele Muholi** has been honored with this year’s Hasselblad Award, one of the most esteemed distinctions within the field.
“Julile I,” Parktown, Johannesburg, 2016
“Ntozakhe II,” Parktown, 2016
“Miss D’vine I,” 2007
“Bona III,” ISGM, Boston, 2019
“Lerato Dumse,“ KwaThema, Springs, Johannesburg, 2010
“Busi Sigasa,” Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2006
“Yaya Mavundla I,” Parktown, Johannesburg, 2017
“Bona,” Charlottesville, 2015
“Bester I,” Mayotte, 2015
**Zanele Muholi: **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/muholizanele/?hl=en)
**Hasselblad Foundation: **[Website](https://www.hasselbladfoundation.org/en/)** | **[Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/hass