A Landmark Achievement in Visual Activism
The Hasselblad Foundation has announced South African photographer and visual activist Zanele Muholi as the recipient of the 2026 Hasselblad Award. Often cited as the most prestigious and financially significant prize in the medium, the award includes a grant of SEK 2,000,000 (approximately $224,000 USD). Along with the monetary prize, Muholi receives a gold medal and a high-end Hasselblad camera system, marking a definitive moment for the integration of social activism and fine art photography.
The foundation’s selection highlights a shift in the global photography landscape toward narratives that challenge traditional power structures. Muholi, who was born during the apartheid regime in South Africa, has spent over two decades using the camera as a tool for resistance and documentation. Their work focuses primarily on the lives of Black LGBTQIA+ individuals, a community that has historically faced erasure in both mainstream media and traditional art archives.
Documentation as a Tool for Change
Muholi’s body of work is characterized by its formal mastery and political urgency. One of their most significant ongoing projects, Faces and Phases, began in 2006 and serves as a living archive of Black lesbian, transgender, and gender-nonconforming individuals. By capturing these subjects with a direct and dignified gaze, Muholi creates a visual record that counters prejudice and discrimination.
In the acclaimed self-portrait series Somnyama Ngonyama, translated as Hail the Dark Lioness, Muholi utilizes everyday objects—such as clothespins, scouring pads, and rubber tires—to reference domestic labor and ethnographic history. These images serve to reclaim the Black body from historical depictions of exoticism and subservience. This approach to storytelling demonstrates how high-quality visual equipment and technical precision can be leveraged to amplify human rights and community advocacy.
Technical Excellence and Professional Workflow
While the Hasselblad Award provides the winner with medium-format technology, Muholi’s career has been built on a foundation of accessible and professional-grade tools. Throughout their journey, Muholi has utilized various systems, including the Canon EOS R5 and EOS 5D Mark IV. These tools, paired with classic portrait glass like the 50mm f/1.8 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses, allow for the intimate, high-detail rendering that defines their work.
For creators and businesses looking to emulate this level of impact, the choice of equipment is often secondary to the clarity of the vision. However, the use of reliable recording tools ensures that the nuances of lighting and expression are preserved for historical archives. Muholi’s success underscores the importance of maintaining a consistent production workflow when documenting long-term social projects.
Impact Beyond the Lens
The influence of Muholi’s work extends into education and institutional support. In 2009, they founded Inkanyiso, a platform for queer and visual activist media, followed by the establishment of the Muholi Art Institute in 2022. These initiatives reflect a broader mission to empower emerging artists and ensure that the next generation of storytellers has the resources to succeed in a competitive media environment.
Upon receiving the award, Muholi emphasized that the recognition belongs to the community that has trusted them with their stories. The prize affirms that marginalized narratives are worthy of global visibility and dignity. For the media industry at large, the 2026 Hasselblad Award serves as a reminder that the most effective stories are often those that provide a voice to the voiceless, utilizing modern tools to build a more inclusive future.
Click here to view more of Muholi's work.
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Nathan Sellars
