Angelika Kollin
Angelika Kollin//
Can you briefly explain the idea that ties all of the photographs in your series “Mary’s Children”?
I have been a student of various spiritual teachings throughout my life, searching for an answer to a profound question: Why is there so much suffering in the human experience? And what are the tools for understanding or overcoming it? My work, a direct reflection of this life path, often deals with this search and the answers I find for myself. “Mary’s Children,” as the title suggests, implies that we are all of divine origin. The project documents stories of the strength of the human spirit in enduring hardship and finding meaning and hope in sometimes very tragic life events. My protagonists are not victims of their circumstances; on the contrary, they exemplify individuals who did not let tragedies or life challenges defeat them.
What was the origin point of “Mary’s Children”? Was there a catalyst in your life or the world that moved you enough to create this series?
I don’t approach or start my projects based on planning or logic. They always reveal themselves in the process of photographing someone. I was photographing a single mother, Mary, who had been abandoned by her husband and had to figure out how to provide for her two children—no small task in South Africa. Despite being illiterate, Mary started her own small business reselling secondhand clothing and is now able to provide for her family. When she shared her story with me, it coincided with the moment I took the following portrait—it was an instant “aha” moment. I knew it would be my new project, even though I had no idea who else I would be photographing for it. The rest began to unfold organically.
Why do you think this idea is important to be displayed to the world?
I believe it is crucial to reverse the current modern-day narrative that hyper-focuses on the rich and famous. Instead, we should shift our attention to real heroes—those who live their lives outside of the spotlight yet exemplify the best of humanity. These individuals show true compassion, love, and remarkable self-acceptance and self-love. By highlighting their stories, we can celebrate and learn from the genuine, often overlooked examples of human strength and virtue.
The subject matter of the series is quite heavy. What do you think was the most important thing you had to do to ensure these photographs achieved what you wanted?
You need to understand that what you call “super heavy” is someone’s reality. There is no denying the high degree of hardship involved, but we can also view these stories as narratives of hope, positive impact, and inspiration. I don’t see these protagonists as victims; on the contrary, I admire how these individuals have risen to meet their challenging circumstances. They are my true heroes. There was nothing I wanted to achieve with these images other than to celebrate people I personally find inspiring and admirable. I firmly believe that while people can endure a lot of hardship, what breaks them the most is indifference. My goal is to counter that indifference by showcasing the resilience and strength of these remarkable individuals.
Was there any difficulty gaining trust from the subjects? How did you go about asking permission and having them allow you to photograph them?
I didn’t experience any issues with gaining trust. I am always very upfront with people, explaining exactly what we are doing and what this work will likely become. What helps me a lot is that many of my “models” find me on their own. People contact me, wanting me to tell their story and create a lasting memory of them. I often check in with myself about my motives, ensuring that I never impose my own opinions or ideas onto the work. My goal is simply to record the story as the person presents and shares it, capturing their truth authentically.
All of the stories from this series are very impactful, but was there any one story from your subjects that especially stands out to you? Something you may have identified with or found most impactful?
The story that resonated with me the most is “Zikhona and Paru.” I struggle to pinpoint exactly why, but I believe it embodies the highest expression of unconditional love I have ever encountered. Being the sole breadwinner for two children is no small challenge in South Africa. When little Paru lost his mother to domestic violence, his youngest aunt, Zikhona, adopted him and his older sister without hesitation. Paru, scarred by a devastating fire that ravaged his tiny body when he was just two months old, requires extensive medical attention and specialized daily care. What Zikhona is doing—putting her dreams and goals on hold to care for these children—is an incredibly inspiring act of unwavering love and steadfast courage. She chose what was right, not what was easy, embodying the true essence of humanity.
What was the hardest part of creating the images?
The hardest part is right now, as I want to continue, but I am not encountering the type of people I envision for this project. My approach is very intuitive; I rely on a gut feeling to guide me, and I just instantly know when I’ve found the right person. At the moment, I am located in Florida, and it’s been difficult to find more individuals who resonate with the essence of this work.
Where was the farthest place you traveled to for “Mary’s Children”? Is there any good or crazy story from any of your travels?
I don’t travel for my stories in the traditional sense. It just happens that I split my time between Tampa, USA, and Cape Town, South Africa. I lived in South Africa for six years and only moved to the USA in 2020. As a result, my extensive network of people is still primarily in South Africa. Therefore, when I spend a few months a year there, I create most of my work.
What did the research look like for this series? How do you come across such moving stories and subjects?
I don’t conduct traditional research, but what I do a lot is pay attention and listen. In my opinion, the ability to listen is essential to good storytelling. You have to get out of your own head and life and be fully present for another person, giving them the space to show you who they are. I find the greatest richness in this very simple practice.
Out of all of them, what is your favorite image and why?
My favorite image is “Cynthia and her daughter Buhle.”
From a young age, Cynthia discovered the challenges of being different and embracing one’s uniqueness. Cynthia, a 32-year-old South African, was born deaf and non-verbal and endured many forms of bullying throughout her life. Throughout her adult years, she held onto a personal dream of becoming a mother—despite encountering strong disapproval from her immediate family and community. A few years ago, her dream came true with the birth of her daughter. Cynthia chose the name Buhle for her little girl, which, in Xhosa, translates to “Beautiful.” It is Cynthia’s legacy and dream for her daughter that she will always remember her own beauty, even when faced with challenging situations or judgmental people.
I like this image a lot because it symbolizes moving forward and leaving the past behind—abandoning old beliefs, stereotypes, and archaic judgments. It also showcases the power of love, reminding us that we are all born to love and to be loved.
