Stop Judging Yourself: A Lesson in Self-Love from Zanele Muholi

<p>What does it take to stop judging yourself and truly see yourself? Self-Love through the eyes of <strong>Zanele Muholi</strong>, the South African visual activist who turned photographing themselves into a practice of Self-Love This episode opens a new series, <strong>Self-Love Through Their Eyes</strong>, where I introduce you to artists who reshaped how I understand Self-Love and Mental Fitness, and the window each one opened for me.</p><p>We begin with Zanele Muholi. Their exhibition toured Europe to record audiences before returning to Tate Modern in London in 2024, over three hundred photographs strong. In December 2024 I stood in those rooms with my niece, two South African women far from home, and what happened there is where this episode begins.</p><p>This is not art critique. This series is about how art and creativity have moved me deeply, how they helped me understand Self-Love, and my hope that they will do the same for you.</p><p>And in Zanele&#39;s own words, the words I have not stopped thinking about since: <em><strong>For once, take a look at yourself, and give thanks for living.</strong></em></p><p><strong>IN THIS EPISODE YOU WILL LEARN</strong></p><ul><li>Who Zanele Muholi is, and why they call themselves a visual activist, not an artist</li><li>What happened when two South African women met Zanele&#39;s work in a London gallery</li><li>Why choosing not to analyse a powerful moment can be an act of trust</li><li>The story behind Somnyama Ngonyama, Hail the Dark Lioness</li><li>Why Zanele set a goal of 365 self-portraits, and why its being unfinished changed how I see Self-Love</li><li>A small witnessing practice for looking at yourself without judging</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Explore Zanele Muholi&#39;s work:</strong></p><p>Tate Modern exhibition, with the room guide and Zulu sound baths: <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/zanele-muholi">https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/zanele-muholi</a><br>The portraits at Tate, including Bester I: <a href="https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/zanele-muholi-18872/yes-but-why-zanele-muholi">https://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/zanele-muholi-18872/yes-but-why-zanele-muholi</a><br>The Muholi Art Institute: <a href="https://www.muholiart.institute/">https://www.muholiart.institute/</a><br>Zanele in their own voice, on film at Art21: <a href="https://art21.org/artist/zanele-muholi/">https://art21.org/artist/zanele-muholi/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Sources for this episode:</strong></p><p>The 2020 exhibition closure and 2024 return: Tate Modern exhibition page above<br>Zanele&#39;s quote, for once, take a look at yourself: Attitude interview: <a href="https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/zanele-muholi-interview-466960/">https://www.attitude.co.uk/culture/zanele-muholi-interview-466960/</a><br>Zanele on Somnyama Ngonyama and founding the Institute: Juxtapoz interview: <a href="https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/magazine/features/zanele-muholi-the-bronze-age/">https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/magazine/features/zanele-muholi-the-bronze-age/</a><br>The 365 self-portrait goal, begun 2012: <a href="https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2022/01/20/zanele-muholi/">https://lampoonmagazine.com/article/2022/01/20/zanele-muholi/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Lulu:</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.luluessey.com/">https://www.luluessey.com/</a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/lulu.essey/">https://www.instagram.com/lulu.essey/</a><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucille-marie-essey/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucille-marie-essey/</a><br>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@lulu.essey">https://www.tiktok.com/@lulu.essey</a></p><p><br></p><p>This is an inside job. Please share this episode with people you love. And subscribe while you are here 💛</p><p><br></p><p>The Lulu Essey Podcast is a proud member of the ALIVE Podcast Network: <a href="https://alivepodcastnetwork.com/">https://alivepodcastnetwork.c