Cape Town's arts scene is set to welcome a powerful new exhibition next month as the internationally acclaimed Bold Beauty Project makes its African debut at 33BREE in the city centre.
Titled As She Is, the month-long photographic exhibition opens on Thursday, August 6, as part of the HEAT Arts Festival, celebrating the beauty, individuality and resilience of women living with disabilities through a distinctly South African lens.
Rather than bringing an existing international exhibition to Cape Town, the Western Cape edition has been created from the ground up. Seventeen women from across the province were photographed by a group of acclaimed South African photographers, resulting in a new body of work accompanied by each participant's personal story.
The large-scale portraits invite visitors to look beyond disability and instead see the women for who they are – their personalities, confidence, strength and humanity. Together, the exhibition challenges traditional ideas of beauty while encouraging conversations around visibility, inclusion and representation.
Bold Beauty Project using photography to spark dialogue around disability and identity
Originally founded in the United States by Shelly Baer and Dr Eva Ritvo, the Bold Beauty Project has become a global movement, using photography to spark dialogue around disability and identity. Earlier this year, the project was showcased at the 61st Venice Biennale as part of the Personal Structures – Confluences exhibition, following previous international presentations in Panama.
For Cape Town, the exhibition has been co-curated by disability activist and arts leader Marlene Le Roux, whose guidance helped shape the collaboration between the photographers, stylists and participants.
"Art has the unique ability to challenge perceptions without raising its voice," said Jaret Loggenberg, Managing Director of The Artists Gallery and 33BREE.
"The Bold Beauty Project is not about disability; it is about visibility, dignity, and celebrating remarkable women exactly as they are."
Le Roux said the exhibition encourages visitors to see beyond labels.
"This project is about sensuality, strength, and the radical act of accepting yourself fully with every challenge, every scar, every story," she said.
Presented as a non-profit initiative, As She Is aims to promote greater awareness through visual storytelling while celebrating diversity as an essential part of society.
Exhibition details
As She Is: A Photographic Exhibition Celebrating Women with Disabilities
Dates: August, 6-29
Venue: 33BREE, 33 Bree Street (entrance on Waterkant Street), Cape Town
Admission: Free
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