Angelika Kollin's 'Mary's Children' Portraits Resilience
In her project 'Mary's Children,' Estonian photographer Angelika Kollin (b. 1976) delves into the theme of resilience through a collection of portraits showcasing individuals who confront hardship. This initiative, which began during her eight-year stay in South Africa, was inspired by Mary, an illiterate mother who established a clothing business to support her children. Among the featured subjects are Zikhona, who took in her nephew Paru after their mother passed away, and Lethu, who triumphed over severe burns. The title signifies a common background and bond, underlining strength developed through challenges. Kollin emphasizes the dignity of those often unseen, shifting the narrative from fame to the everyday choices made in the face of adversity.
Key facts
- Angelika Kollin is an Estonian self-taught photographer born in 1976.
- She lived eight years in Africa across Ghana, Namibia, and South Africa.
- 'Mary's Children' is her latest long-term photographic series.
- The project started in South Africa with a subject named Mary.
- Mary was an illiterate mother abandoned by her husband who started a second-hand clothing business.
- Subjects include Zikhona, who adopted her nephew Paru and his sister after domestic violence killed their mother.
- Another subject, Lethu, suffered burns at six months and built self-acceptance by nineteen.
- Kollin's work is driven by a question about suffering and human resilience.
Entities
Artists
- Angelika Kollin
Locations
- Estonia
- Africa
- Ghana
- Namibia
- South Africa