At the last Association of Women in Development (AWID) event held in Cape Town, South Africa, I met a photographer called Zanele Muholi. Zanele stood out for me because on one of the occasions we chatted, she was wearing a ‘housemaid’s’ uniform in solidarity with domestic workers – she spoke to me about the plight of domestic workers, an issue I feel strongly yet contradicted about. Zanele also gave me a CD that included a short film she had made – I eventually watched the film two days ago.
The film was titled ‘Enraged by a Photograph’ and documented reactions by a range of people who had seen a photo exhibition of black South African lesbians shot in various poses by Zanele including– a woman binding her breasts, a woman who had been raped the day before and a sanitary pad on a plate (complete with fork and knife). The pictures are definitely one that would provoke some emotion (which I always think is a great thing) and I guess the pictures I have mentioned are the ones that stuck out the most for me.
At least from the few pictures I saw on the film I think Zanele is a brave photographer whose closeness with her subjects allows her to capture intimate moments that most of us will not be privy to. I think Zanele’s pictures says ‘black lesbians’ have human rights too and have the right to love each other without fear of ‘corrective rape’, murder and hate. Zanele’s pictures challenge us to look beyond the surface and ask ‘why should anyone be enraged by these photographs?’
After watching the film I tried to send Zanele an email with the details she gave to me last November but my email bounced. Sister Zanele if you ever read this I would like to say ‘Kudos, Stay Strong and Stay Passionate’
P.S: Zanele’s website is www.zanelemuholi.com
4 comments On In Response to Zanele Muholi’s ‘Enraged by a Picture’
I’ve seen some of her photos too, though no the ones you’ve mentioned.xxx is the email i’ve contacted her on before and that works. her work always provokes some kind of emotion even if it’s not positive emotion, and that’s rare. she communicates her ideas so well.
Her work definitely provoked a negative reaction in a South African minister (a woman) who refused to stay for an event at which her pictures were showcased. The poor minister left an aide behind to read her speech. I wonder whether the aide was a hardier sort than the minister.
@Abena – thanks for the email. I have some super sleuths who read this blog. You’re actually the second person to send me Zanele’s mail. Or is it 6 degrees of separation and all that kind of stuff. You may have noticed that i edited your comment slightly to remove Zanele’s email.
@Kofi – I heard about the Minister’s reaction. Hmmm, i wonder how the Minister reacts to a certain President’s numerous wives, allegations of rape and other such occurrences.
Dialogue is always good. Sometimes, we have to swing to the extreme end & stir up emotions for dialogue to start.
I applaud Zanele Muholi for her courage & work.
I watched some interviews on “corrective rape”. The ones that used the bible angle to justify it shocked me. They are the ones that should be most tolerating since the same bible teaches that we are saved only by God’s grace.