Dec 27, 2016

Somnyama II, Oslo

Somnyama II, Oslo

2015

Zanele Muholi

(South African, b. 1972)

Gelatin silver print

Image: 49.5 x 43.2 cm (19 1/2 x 17 in.); Framed: 52.2 x 45.2 x 4.4 cm (20 9/16 x 17 13/16 x 1 3/4 in.)

Dudley P. Allen Fund 2016.40

Edition: Edition of 8

Location

Did you know?

This self-portrait is from a series called Hail the Dark Lioness.

Description

Zanele Muholi’s bold, self-possessed stare and high piles of tresses suggest the power of 17th-century French kings and of kings of the jungle, but white and gold are replaced by dark tones. “By exaggerating the darkness of my skin tone,” says Muholi, “I'm reclaiming my blackness, which I feel is continuously performed by the privileged other.”

See also
Department: 
Photography
Type of artwork: 
Photograph
Credit line: 
Dudley P. Allen Fund

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