Born in Umlazi, Durban, 1972, Zanele Muholi has become both a renowned photographer and advocate for the re-articulation of lesbian rights. Having completed an Advanced Photography course at the Market Photo Workshop in Newtown, Johannesburg in 2004, she has now had numerous exhibitions with lauded international artists, been featured in many publications including Vitamin Ph by Phaidon and produced documentary films on Black Lesbian mothers. Her extensive CV and the controversy her work has generated speak only to her international impact. Her documentation of the lives and experiences of black lesbian women is met with varied and vehement reactions. Her work represents the black female body in a frank yet intimate way that challenges the history of the portrayal of black women’s bodies in documentary photography. Included in many academic essays and publications Muholi seems to be making waves in all spheres.

She currently lives and works in Canada