Cummer Museum | Zanele Muholi

Where Visual Activism Meets Community Connection. TigerLily partnered with the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens to produce a documentary-style exhibition film celebrating the groundbreaking work of South African visual activist Zanele Muholi. Described by Museum Director and CEO Andrea Barnwell Brownlee as "riveting, show-stopping, and all-encompassing," the film was designed to bring the power and intimacy of the Somnyama Ngonyama exhibition directly into viewers' homes during a time when in-person gathering wasn't possible.

The film guides audiences through Muholi's deeply personal body of work — photographs that explore race, identity, gender, and politics through the lens of visual activism. From large-scale wallpapers crafted from household materials to intimate portraits where Muholi deliberately darkens their skin tone in post-production to reclaim their Blackness on their own terms, the film captures the layered meaning and emotional weight behind each piece.

As the final stop on an international tour, the exhibition's run at the Cummer Museum in Jacksonville, Florida marked the last opportunity for anyone in the world to experience this remarkable collection in person. TigerLily's film helped extend that reach — honoring the museum's founding mission to create a place of beauty, culture, and community for all citizens of Jacksonville, and sparking the kind of meaningful dialogue that the work was always meant to inspire.

Client Testimonial

Holly Keris
Chief Curator
Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens

What was the challenge? During the pandemic, we needed a way to have visitors experience a traditional exhibition opening and tour without being able to gather in person.

What was the solution? TigerLily created a beautiful documentary-style tour and interview to bring the exhibition content and overview into people's homes.

How did you come to work with TigerLily? Previous client relationship.

What stood out about TigerLily? Their professionalism, capability, understanding of the challenge, creativity, and aesthetic quality.

How did TigerLily perform? Excellent — TigerLily is a great partner and wonderful to work with!

Overall experience out of 5 stars?

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