Zanele Muholi, a South African artist who identifies as non-binary, has been named the winner of the 2026 Hasselblad award. Muholi was born in 1972 in the township of Umlazi, south-west of Durban in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. They were four years old during the 1976 Soweto uprising, during which as many as 1,000 people were killed by the end of 1976.
Muholi was just starting primary school when anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko was tortured to death in 1977. Their mother, Bester, was a domestic worker for 40 years, often living away from home, and would have turned 90 this year. " In their artistic career, Muholi's 2020 survey show at London's Tate Modern was stymied by pandemic visitor restrictions, but the Tate Modern brought back the survey show four years later.
I can’t say it’s winning, because that’s like you entered a competition. This is more a recognition, that is a dream for most of us who are doing photography or who are visualising a work that is not often recognised. It’s an honour for our people, for the Black LGBTQIA+ community from home – it’s for all of us, the queer and trans community in Africa.
Muholi described the Hasselblad award as "more a recognition, that is a dream for most of us who are doing photography or who are visualising a work that is not often recognised. " They added, "I’m made by the community. " The specific works or series by Muholi that contributed most to winning the award have not been disclosed, and the monetary value or other benefits associated with the 2026 Hasselblad award remain unknown.
Muholi continues to be a prominent voice in contemporary art, with their work reflecting deep community ties.
I’m made by the community. I’m shaped by women, who are the forces in all that I do. I move with the community, with or without resources, with or without recognition. It’s how it has been. I love my people. I love being part of movements, because that’s where we heal, really. It never makes sense to me to be alone.
Don’t go close, because it’s work and it won’t be good for my Madam to see you.