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A powerful photographic exhibition celebrating the beauty, strength and individuality of women with disabilities will make its African debut in Cape Town this August. The internationally acclaimed Bold Beauty Project (BBP), which originated in the United States and has grown into a global movement promoting visibility, dignity and inclusion, will be presented for the first time in Africa through a month-long exhibition at 33BREE, in collaboration with The Artists Gallery.

For its Western Cape chapter, the project has been reimagined through a uniquely South African lens. Seventeen women from across the province have been photographed by a collective of acclaimed local photographers, creating an entirely new body of work that celebrates their individuality, resilience and lived experiences. Accompanied by each woman's personal story, the large-scale portraits offer an intimate and deeply moving exploration of identity, beauty and representation.

Rather than focusing on disability, the exhibition invites visitors to see the women first – their personalities, confidence, strength and humanity. Together, the portraits challenge traditional perceptions of beauty and encourage a broader, more inclusive understanding of what it means to be seen.

Founded in the United States by Shelly Baer and Dr. Eva Ritvo, the Bold Beauty Project has earned international recognition for using photography to spark meaningful conversations around disability, inclusion and representation.

Its most recent international milestone was its presentation at the 61st Venice Biennale (May to November 2026), where it formed part of the prestigious Personal Structures – Confluences exhibition at Palazzo Mora, organised by the European Cultural Centre. Displayed alongside the work of more than 150 artists from over 40 countries, the exhibition attracted significant international acclaim.
Following successful exhibitions in the United States and Panama, the Western Cape chapter marks the Bold Beauty Project's first African exhibition, demonstrating how the universal language of photography can connect communities across cultures while amplifying voices that have too often gone unseen.

"Art has the unique ability to challenge perceptions without raising its voice. The Bold Beauty Project is not about disability; it is about visibility, dignity and celebrating remarkable women exactly as they are. We are honoured to bring this internationally acclaimed project to South Africa for the first time and to present the powerful stories of seventeen extraordinary women from the Western Cape through the eyes of some of our country's most respected photographers.

"This exhibition has been shaped through genuine collaboration. Marlene Le Roux served as co-curator and mentor throughout the process, working closely with the photographers, stylists and participants to ensure every story was told with authenticity and purpose. Her insight as a disability activist and advocate for visibility and dignity has been foundational to everything the Western Cape chapter of the Bold Beauty Project represents. Together, we hope to inspire meaningful conversations that continue long after visitors leave the gallery."

— Jaret Loggenberg, Managing Director, The Artists Gallery & 33BREE

Marlene Le Roux adds:

"Women and men with disabilities must never be reduced to problems to be fixed or hidden from view. This project is about sensuality, strength and the radical act of accepting yourself fully — every challenge, every scar and every story. To be a person with a disability is to navigate a world that was not built for you, and yet here we are. This exhibition gives voice to that truth through art. It says: 'Look at her. See who she is. As she is.'"

As a non-profit initiative, the Bold Beauty Project seeks to inspire dialogue, encourage inclusion and promote greater awareness through the power of visual storytelling. It celebrates diversity not as an exception, but as an essential part of society, reminding audiences that beauty exists in countless forms and deserves to be recognised without limitation.

Presented under the exhibition title As She Is, the exhibition invites visitors to move beyond assumptions and stereotypes, embracing each woman's individuality, courage and authentic presence.

The exhibition opens on 5 August 2026 as part of the HEAT Arts Festival, with The Artists Gallery participating as an official festival venue.

The exhibition itself will be presented at 33BREE, The Artists Gallery's dedicated project and exhibition space 50 meters away from the main gallery in Cape Town's city centre. Admission is free to the public throughout the exhibition period.

Event Details: 
Exhibition: As She Is 
Exhibition Dates: 6 - 29 August 
Venue: 33 Bree Street (entrance Waterkant Street)
Admission: Free

For more information, follow The Artists Gallery and 33BREE on social media or visit the gallery during the exhibition period.