Adedolapo Boluwatife: A Photographer's Call to Action on Plastic Waste in Nigeria

Adedolapo Boluwatife, a photographer, grew up in the Ojodu area of Lagos, Nigeria, and has personally experienced several floods in his lifetime. His deep concern for environmental disasters led him to investigate the causes, and he discovered that one of the primary factors contributing to such catastrophes is inadequate waste management, with plastic being a major "threat."

Motivated by this realization, Adedolapo began collecting plastic waste in his local area and later created a photo series titled Invitation to Invade. Through these striking images, he aimed to alert the public to the dangers posed by waste accumulation, particularly plastic, and to spark a sense of urgency. As he describes, "These images depict the dominance of waste over humanity, creating an unsettling feeling in the viewer."

In one powerful image, Adedolapo uses a model to create a visual metaphor inspired by Greek mythology. The model is shown balancing a bulging plastic bag on their shoulder, symbolizing Atlas—the Greek Titan condemned by Zeus to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. Through this, Adedolapo conveys the immense burden that waste, particularly plastic, places on our world.

Adedolapo's interest in nature and conservation is deeply rooted in his family. His mother has a passion for plants, and his brother works as a forester. In 2020, after the pandemic, Adedolapo returned home to live with his family. "During that time, my parents' garden became my sanctuary and inspired me to engage in meaningful conversations about environmental issues," he shared.

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