Hold My Heart, 2024

Moena Weiss  

In this photograph, artist Moena Weiss explores the layered and shifting realities of queer existence in a country still deeply marked by the legacies of colonialism and apartheid.

South Africa's LGBTQIA+ community exists within a landscape defined by profound dualities. Constitutional and legal progress stands in stark contrast to ongoing violence, marginalization, and erasure. In Cape Town, queer life flourishes—radiant, diverse, and culturally vibrant—yet remains entangled in structures shaped by race, class, and gender inequality. Despite these tensions, queer South Africans continue to forge networks of resistance, joy, solidarity, and care. Their lives are marked equally by vulnerability and resilience, defiance and dignity.

A striking study of intimacy and form. A dark-skinned hand emerges from the shadows. It cradles a vibrant dragon fruit with delicate precision. The contrast is immediate. Deep mahogany tones meet a vivid, electric pink. 
The composition plays with light and texture. Soft, peach-colored fabrics drape in the background. They create a fluid, organic atmosphere. This creates a sense of sanctuary and stillness. 
The Berlin-based photographer draws on a background in psychology. This perspective informs a deep exploration of human vulnerability. The image transcends a simple still life. It becomes a conceptual portrait of touch and presence. 
The focus is sharp and intentional. Every ridge of the fruit and every line of the hand is captured. It evokes a feeling of trust and quiet connection. The artwork is a C-print on fine art paper. It balances a warm color palette with a bold, central focal point. The result is a poetic meditation on identity and the beauty of the natural world.