ZANELE MUHOLI's Imperial Self-Portraits Demand Your Attention and Admiration at Yancey Richardson

S. African born (b 1972) visual artist Zanele Muholi's self-portrait photographs are arresting and majestic representations of women bearing grace & self-assuredness.   It wasn't apparent at first that these photos were all the same individual.  They are the artists' self-portraits, mostly head shots made to appear different by the adornments on their heads.  Cindy Sherman's photographic self-portraits are heavily disguised in costume and make-up to appear as completely different characters.  The collection of Muholi's portraits share more in common.  They represent defiant, solemn expressions of resolute power that engage the viewer.  The various headwear, or hairstyles all portray a regal bearing even the one with a vise on her head.  I thought these photos startling for their reticent fierceness.  They spoke to me of dignity and omnipotence.  However, Muholi shared her intent in a recent article in The Guardian "This is about our lives, and if queer history, trans history, if politics of blackness and self-representation are so key in our lives, we just cannot sit down and not document and bring it forth."  Her photos stunned me with their aesthetic glory and inner strength.  Muholi is a strong advocate for S. African's LGBTQl community.  A community that endures harsh treatment & degradation in her native country.  I didn't view these photos as documentation of oppression rather as  impenetrable images that serve to counter subjective & derogatory exposure of the black, lesbian & transgender individuals living in S. Africa.