Through black and white portraits of great visual force, the artist proposes an experience that is close even for those approaching contemporary art for the first time. The exhibition reflects the uncertain conditions of security, visibility, and belonging that affect the lives of Black queer people, bringing together emblematic works from the renowned series 'Somnyama Ngonyama' and 'Faces and Phases,' in which Muholi uses photography as a powerful tool to reflect on identity, human dignity, memory, body, and representation. 'Amalanga awafani,' an expression that means 'not all days are the same,' invites us to think about the passage of time, personal and social changes, and the way people build their identity throughout their lives. Each portrait marks a specific moment, recognizing that identity, dignity, and survival are never constant. 'The portrait is my daily prayer,' reflects Muholi. The work belongs to Zanele Muholi, one of the most influential photographers on the global art scene, who is visiting the region for the first time. 'Supporting these initiatives is essential to build a culture that reflects all the voices and realities of our society,' said María Eugenia Herrera, Minister of Culture of Panama. 'This is no longer about me; it is about all the female bodies that have ever existed in my family.' The series 'Faces and Phases,' begun in 2006 and developed across several countries including Panama, functions as a visual archive that celebrates the lives of queer people, highlighting the importance of preserving these stories as part of the collective memory. This Saturday, January 24, at Fundación Casa Santa Ana, the exhibition 'Amalanga awafani' (Not All Days Are the Same) will be inaugurated, which will be open to the public until April 19, 2026, with free admission. 'From the Ministry of Culture, we celebrate the arrival of Zanele Muholi at Casa Santa Ana, an exhibition that opens spaces for dialogue and inclusion,' the statement read. 'She never imagined that these dreams would be possible.' On the other hand, 'Somnyama Ngonyama' (Hail, Dark Lioness), begun in 2012, presents self-portraits in which the artist explores self-representation and cultural heritage, using everyday objects as visual symbols loaded with meaning about personal and collective stories of exclusion, displacement, and ongoing racism.
Exhibition 'Amalanga awafani' Opens in Panama
The renowned South African photographer Zanele Muholi's exhibition 'Amalanga awafani' (Not All Days Are the Same) has opened in Panama. The free exhibition, running until April 2026, brings together two key series of works dedicated to the identity, dignity, and memory of Black queer communities. This is the artist's first exhibition in the region.
