At 1-54 Fair in October, artist Dola Posh’s photographs stood out among the crowds. Works from her ongoing, award-winning series OMO MI were presented by Cynthia Corbett Gallery to a rapturous crowd. The work – comprising beautifully composed, arresting portraits of Posh and her infant daughter, born in August 2020 – are rooted in Posh’s experiences of postpartum depression, and speak of her pain and her subsequent healing, all the while nurturing her newborn. “This work has become a powerful vessel for sharing the intimate stories of Black mothers, celebrating our strength, and fostering connection in a world that often isolates us.”
Posh’s champion for The Wick is Cynthia Valianti Corbett, Director of Cynthia Corbett Gallery.
“I am championing Dola Posh because her powerful visual storytelling resonates deeply with both personal and universal experiences. As a Black Nigerian-born artist living in England, Dola’s work explores themes of identity, motherhood, and mental health, focusing particularly on the profound transformation following pregnancy. Dola’s work transcends mere imagery; it tells stories that need to be heard, especially around issues like postpartum depression and the loss of self-identity, which she has lived and continues to explore with incredible empathy. Her ability to depict the strength and vulnerability that come with this journey makes her a vital voice in contemporary art.
Dola was a finalist for the Young Masters Art Prize in 2023, a project very dear to me and now celebrating its 15th Anniversary. It has been an honor to witness the incredible growth of this platform, which continues to support artists like Dola who are reshaping the art world with their unique perspectives. As we celebrate this milestone with a Call for Artists, I’m proud to spotlight Dola’s achievements, such as winning the Leica Women Foto Project Award in 2024 and featuring in major exhibitions. Her work, which amplifies the voices of Black women, mothers, and those struggling with mental health, is why I continue to champion her as an extraordinary and important artist.”
Posh considers OMO MI, her greatest professional achievement to date; the project will continue in coming months as Posh begins to explore the relationship between motherhood and mental health in the Black community. She hopes her images will pave the way for collective healing and consciousness-raising. She, in turn, continues to be inspired by “the rich narratives of Black women. I draw strength from my personal experiences and the stories of those around me; each journey is unique yet intertwined in our shared struggles and triumphs. I’m deeply inspired by my culture and the resilience and beauty of Black mothers, whose voices often go unheard. Their stories fuel my passion and creativity.”
OMO MI has a distinctive rawness and honesty about a subject still shrouded in taboo, especially for women of colour. “It documents the transformative journey of new motherhood and the beautiful complexities of being a Black mother, revealing both the joys and struggles that come with the journey. It is a heartfelt reflection of my personal experiences, combined with the voices of others, reminding us that while we may face challenges, our stories are filled with grace, resilience, and a shared sense of community.”
About the champion
Cynthia Valianti Corbett is an art historian, curator and the founder director of Cynthia Corbett Gallery, an international nomadic art gallery representing emerging and established contemporary artists. She was the recipient of the 2020 Tufts University Alumni Award with a Career Service Citation in recognition of her achievements and contribution to the international art world.
Corbett trained as an art historian at Christie’s Education before establishing her gallery in 2004. Prior to this, she had a high-profile career as an international economist, which she began at Citibank in 1982 specialising in emerging markets based in New York and London. In 2009, Corbett launched the Young Masters Art Prize, a unique, not-for-profit curatorial platform supporting emerging international artists. The Prize celebrates artistic skill and innovation, with awareness of the Old Masters and art of the past.
Corbett trained as an art historian at Christie’s Education before establishing her gallery in 2004. Prior to this, she had a high-profile career as an international economist, which she began at Citibank in 1982 specialising in emerging markets based in New York and London. In 2009, Corbett launched the Young Masters Art Prize, a unique, not-for-profit curatorial platform supporting emerging international artists. The Prize celebrates artistic skill and innovation, with awareness of the Old Masters and art of the past.
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