In partnership with Autograph, Spelman College Museum of Fine Art is proud to present the United States premiere of "Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness." In this internationally acclaimed exhibition featuring more than 70 photographs, visual activist Muholi, whose preferred pronouns are they and them, uses their body as a canvas to confront the politics of race and representation in the visual archive. Muholi’s psychologically charged portraits are unapologetic in their directness as they explore different archetypes, personal and collective histories, contemporary politics, and global events. Somnyama Ngonyama employs the conventions of classical painting, fashion photography, and the familiar tropes of ethnographic imagery to critically rearticulate contemporary identity politics. "Zanele Muholi: Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness" is organized by Autograph, London, and curated by Renée Mussai.

The Spelman College Museum of Fine Art’s presentation is made possible by the Wish Foundation and the LUBO Fund. Major funding for this organization is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. Additional funding provided by the Massey Charitable Trust.

ACP Lecture Series / Art Papers Live / Spelman College Museum of Fine Art Presents: Zanele Muholi Artist's Talk, Sept. 14th