In the midst of the COVID-19 lockdown, Dola Posh, a Nigerian photographer, faced a personal crisis that transformed her life. Six days after welcoming her daughter, Monioluwa, she found herself isolated in an English hospital, grappling with the overwhelming changes a new motherhood brought her. Rather than the joy she anticipated, Dola experienced an unsettling loss of identity. “I wasn’t me anymore,” she recalled, as she questioned her ability to return to her passion for photography.
Dola’s transformation was exacerbated by the distance from her family, particularly her mother, who was thousands of miles away in Lagos. The relentless phone calls from well-meaning relatives only intensified the pressure she felt. Even as the world around her was shutting down, her mind spiraled deeper into darkness, leading to intrusive thoughts that left her feeling hopeless.
After her discharge, Dola was met with unsolicited parenting advice that further complicated her emotional state. “I wasn’t given the chance to be a mother,” she lamented. During the long nights filled with exhaustion and loneliness, despair nearly drove her to a tragic decision. Thankfully, a call to her health visitor opened the door for help, guiding her to therapy and eventually to the comfort found in her camera.
Re-engaging with her craft, Dola started a series of self-portraits incorporating her daughter. The journey led her to create images that resonated with the art world's portrayal of the Madonna and child, a connection she later recognized from her upbringing in a religious Nigerian household. As she captured intimate moments, including her baby’s peaceful sleep, Dola rediscovered herself, anchoring her emotions to the act of creation.
The symbolism of her religious background emerged strongly in her work. Dola recalled how wearing her religious veil during shoots felt like reconnecting with her family’s essence, bringing her comfort amid chaos. As she began to share her experiences openly, the weight of shame started to lift. “Motherhood was not all joys,” she explained, realizing the power of vulnerability in her art and life.
As a testament to her resilience, Dola recently won recognition from Leica for her series, which aims to shed light on the often-hidden struggles of maternity, especially within the Black community. “I want a world where Black mothers don’t bear these burdens alone,” she proclaimed, emphasizing the need for visibility and support.
Now, Dola Posh advocates for women to embrace their narratives: “It’s new for a woman to stand there and say: ‘I almost ended my life… and I’m still here.’” Through photography, she aims to foster dialogue and help others see a reflection of their struggles, paving the way for healing and connection.
