In the twenty years I’ve spent navigating the photography world, I’ve seen countless awards handed out, but few feel as earned or as necessary as this one. Zanele Muholi being named the 2026 Hasselblad Award Laureate isn’t just another headline—it’s a seismic shift in how the industry values ‘Visual Activism.’ When I first encountered Muholi’s work, I wasn’t just struck by the technical mastery of their high-contrast, black-and-white portraits; I was hit by the weight of the stories they were telling.
Portrait of Zanele Muholi | Photo by Ikram Abdulkadirv
Muholi doesn’t just ‘take’ photos; they build archives. For an editor, seeing someone use a camera to fight the erasure of the Black LGBTQIA+ community in South Africa is the ultimate reminder of why we do what we do. I’m inspired by their grit—the way they’ve spent two decades turning the lens into a shield and a megaphone simultaneously. The reason I wanted to highlight this $218,000 tribute is that it validates a career spent in the trenches of social reform. It proves that photography is at its most potent when it refuses to be ‘polite.’
What we can learn from Muholi is that your ‘voice’ as an artist is more important than your gear. They’ve followed in the footsteps of legends like Ansel Adams, but they’ve carved a path that is entirely their own. I’ve observed their composition style over the years—it’s raw, it’s unapologetic, and it demands you look. As we celebrate this historic win, I want us to look at our own work and ask: What are we documenting that will matter fifty years from now? Muholi has already answered that question. They aren’t just the photographer of the year; they are the historian we didn’t know we needed.
You can find more info about Zanele Muholi:
Zanele Muholi’s Portfolio
Zanele Muholi’s portfolio is a definitive visual history of Black LGBTQIA+ life in South Africa. From the confrontational self-portraits of Somnyama Ngonyama to the intimate Faces and Phases archive, their work masterfully uses high-contrast monochrome to demand visibility, dignity, and justice.
1. Bester I, Mayotte 2015
2. Qiniso The Sails, Durban, 2019
"The photography world just got a much-needed jolt of reality. The Hasselblad Foundation has named South African powerhouse Zanele Muholi the 2026 Hasselblad Award laureate, handing over the world’s most prestigious prize—SEK 2,000,000 (over $218,000), a gold medal, and that legendary camera system.
But let’s be real: this isn’t just about the money or the gear. It’s a massive, global "I see you" to an artist who has spent their life documenting the lives that history tried to bury. From the streets of Umlazi to the walls of the world’s elite galleries, Muholi is reclaiming the narrative, one frame at a time."
3. Yaya Mavundla, Parktown, Johannesburg, 2017
4. Ntozakhe, Parktown, 2016
"Born in 1972 under the suffocating shadow of apartheid, Muholi didn’t just pick up a camera to take "pretty pictures." They picked it up as a weapon. They understood early on that in the face of systemic violence and erasure, a photograph is a receipt of existence.
Their career has been a masterclass in the power of storytelling, proving that when you’re backed into a corner by oppression, your best move is to show your face—magnified, dignified, and impossible to ignore. It’s raw, it’s political, and it’s exactly the kind of "Visual Magic" that keeps me inspired after 20 years in this industry."
5. Miss Dvine, 2007
6. Lungile Cleo Dladla KwaThema Community Hall Springs, Johannesburg, 2011
"When you look at a Muholi portrait, it hits you differently. It’s not just the formal mastery—though their use of tone and high-contrast composition is straight-up genius. It’s the "formal urgency" of it all. The Hasselblad Foundation hit the nail on the head when they said Muholi’s impact reaches far beyond the art world. They aren’t just a photographer; they are a "visual activist" celebrating the depth and soul of the Black LGBTQIA+ community. Their work is a bridge between political necessity and artistic brilliance, making them the heartbeat of global queer visual culture."
7. Lerato Dumse KwaThema Springs, Johannesburg, 2010
8. Bona, Charlottesville, 2015
"I was particularly moved by Muholi’s reaction to the win. They didn’t make it about their own ego. They said, "This prize is not mine alone," dedicating it to the faces, names, and histories that trusted them when the world looked away. This recognition is a win for everyone who has ever been treated like a statistic or a shadow. It’s a loud, clear affirmation that these lives are worthy of being seen in full color (even in black and white), with all the humanity and dignity they deserve."
9. Miss Dvine, 2007
10. Busi Sigasa Braamfontein, Johannesburg, 2006
"Ultimately, Muholi’s portfolio is an archive of resistance. It’s a defiant "We are here" so that future generations can never say they didn’t know. As an editor, I find this incredibly humbling. It’s a reminder that we don’t just curate images for clicks; we curate them for history. Muholi receives this honor on behalf of those who have been erased and those who are still fighting to exist freely. This award isn’t just a career milestone; it’s a victory for anyone who believes that a camera can truly change the world."
FAQs
Who won the 2026 Hasselblad Photography Award?
South African visual activist Zanele Muholi was named the 2026 Hasselblad Award Laureate. They are recognized for two decades of work documenting the lives and struggles of the Black LGBTQIA+ community.
What is the prize for the Hasselblad Award?
The award includes a cash prize of SEK 2,000,000 (approximately $218,000 USD), a gold medal, a diploma, and a high-end Hasselblad camera system, making it one of the world’s most prestigious honors.
Why is Zanele Muholi’s win considered historic?
Muholi is the first South African photographer to receive the Hasselblad Award. Their win signals a significant recognition of "Visual Activism" and social documentary as top-tier artistic contributions to global culture.
What is ‘Visual Activism’ in photography?
Visual activism uses photography as a tool for social change and human rights. For Muholi, this means creating a visual archive that celebrates and protects marginalized identities against cultural erasure and violence.
What photography style is Zanele Muholi known for?
Muholi is famous for their stark, high-contrast black-and-white self-portraits and community portraits. Their work often emphasizes skin texture and direct eye contact to challenge the viewer and reclaim the gaze.
