Portraits of peace from around the world
The stories that permeate our newsfeed have become increasingly dark lately. Abuse, discrimination, oppression, violence, and war are global problems that all countries and people face. In an effort to shine a light on some of the individuals who stand against injustice and advocate for peace, we decided to create a series of digital stamps featuring portraits of these heroes, one for each sovereign nation.
Peace-post.com
Peace Post mini-documentary
The Process
The process begins by researching each country’s history, the person, and the regional artistic styles, schools, and movements found there. We then incorporate the artistic references, techniques, and mediums into the likeness of the chosen peace advocate. So why stamps? Stamps have a long history of commemorating important people and events. Stamps are collectible and shareable. Perhaps most importantly, stamps represent a vehicle of correspondence and dialogue, the latter being the ambition and objective of the project.
Inspirational Stamps
One of the most satisfying things about this project is global interconnection. Peace Post affords us the opportunity to work with great artists who share ties to the region or the story of the individuals they are depicting. ”
Channapha Khamvongsa, Peace Activist
MC Millaray, Human Rights Activist
Andrée Blouin, Human Rights Activist
Nemonte Nenquimo, Environmental Rights Activist
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Politcal Activist
Malala Yousafzai, Human Rights Activist
Channapha Khamvongsa, Peace Activist
MC Millaray, Human Rights Activist
Andrée Blouin, Human Rights Activist
Nemonte Nenquimo, Environmental Rights Activist
Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara, Politcal Activist
Malala Yousafzai, Human Rights Activist
Credits
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The Artwork
At the beginning of the project, these portraits were done mainly by designers who worked at Selman. As the project progressed, we began to commission portraits from illustrators in the countries where the advocate was from, which added incredible authenticity. The final collection is wonderfully diverse in style and medium. We have painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, printmaking, and a nice mix of digital and analog.
Process footage of artwork
Charcoal portrait of Raed Al Saleh, Syria by Johnny Selman
Sawing a wood portrait of Jenipher Sanni, Malawi by Connor Linde
Woodblock printing of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, Tonga by Johnny Selman
Photographic collage of Andrée Madeleine Blouin, Central African Republic, by Alex Stikeleather
Charcoal portrait of Raed Al Saleh, Syria by Johnny Selman
Sawing a wood portrait of Jenipher Sanni, Malawi by Connor Linde
Woodblock printing of ‘Akilisi Pōhiva, Tonga by Johnny Selman
Photographic collage of Andrée Madeleine Blouin, Central African Republic, by Alex Stikeleather
Credits
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Full collection of Peace Post artwork
Mother Teresa by Ana Hoxha
Ai Weiwei by Yukai Du
MC Millaray by Giulia Zoavo
Nemonte Nenquimo by Richie Guzman
Malala Yousafzai by Jessica Barbon
Pablo Picasso by Javier Jaén
Hadja Idrissa Bah by Nickson Kimaro
Nelson Mandela by Johnny Selman
Credits
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I wanted to bring some of what I learned from doing BBCx365 to this project – that investing energy in something that expands your understanding and empathy for the world around us is a great use of time.”
Peace Post supporter pin
The Exhibit
We are absolutely thrilled to bring this collection, for the first time, as a traveling, physical exhibit to The International Peace Museum in Dayton, Ohio, the nation's only peace museum. We are looking for other museums, libraries, and schools to host the exhibit. The goal is for it to travel around the country for the next few years.
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We are incredibly grateful to look at this exhibit every day and are anticipating many uses and applications for all of these Peace Advocates in the future.”
Outcome
Our hope is that this project lives on as an educational resource and inspires the next generation to see these countries around the world not only for their challenges but for their champions of peace. A limited run of a large format book has been printed and will be donated to select libraries. The website is a wonderful resource to experience the project and learn more about each advocate.
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Activism-focused venues, community spaces, cultural institutions, and libraries are invited to display the exhibit. Interested organizations can contact peace@selman.nyc.
Selman Team
Albert Chang
Anne Di Lillo
Christopher Schroeder
Connor Linde
Drew David Park
Hanjoon Kim
Jennie Soccio
Johnny Selman
John Paul Chirdon
Jordan Tran
Katie King Rumford
Megan Greig
Meryem Kettani
Nicole Motta
Illustrators
Adam Ames
Albert Chang
Alex Stikeleather
Alexia Navarro
Alyssa Kalbus
Amina Abdellatif
Amina Wafaa Berrais
Amy Cruz
Ana Hoxha
Ana Jaks
Ana Kim
Ana Matsusaki
Ang Bamundo
Anique Frederick
Anna Dawson
Anne Di Lillo
Arielle Martins
Arwestanoc
Aya Ghanameh
Beto Garza
Carla Zorrilla
Christopher Schroeder
Clara Kirkpatrick
Claudia Gorena
Connie Leung
Connor Linde
Daniela Jordan-Villaveces
Danii Pollehn
Drew David Park
Egle Plytnikaite
Eloïse Heinzer
Eugene Lee
Evan Anthony
Florine Glück
Fran Matos
Gheleyne Bastiaen
Giulia Zoavo
Grace Song
Graphik’noir
Hangama Amiri
Hanjoon Kim
Hye-jin Lee
Irina Kiro
Islenia Mil
Ismani Sun
Jack Storie
Jade Goodwin
Javier Jaén
Jenae Bell
Jennie Soccio
Jerald Saddle
Jess Brett
Jessica Barbon
Joana Taya
John Custer
John Paul Chirdon
Johnny Selman
Jonee Kreuz
Jordan Tran
Joshua Chiang
Julian Mei
Julie Cho
Julie Flett
Julie Sauerwein
Katie King Rumford
Katie Ponder
Kelsy Di Giovanni
Kokab Zohoori-Dossa
Lauren Pedrosa
Lena Gwen
Luciano Cian
Luis Villeda
LuLu La Nantais
Lynn Atieno
Maleyka Khojanazarova
Maria Francesca Melis
Mateja Kovac
Matthew McDaniel
Megan Greig
Mira Miroslavova
Monica Obaga
Naomi Likayi
Nasheen Jahan Nasir
Nejc Prah
Nick Johnson
Nick Shea
Nickson Kimaro
Oliver Mettle
Patrick Adams
Richard Perez
Richie Guzman
Robert Ball
Samuel Ansah Blay
Stephanie Singleton
Stephen Lim
Taller Estampa
Tashi Wangmo Gyeltshen
Tatjana Junker
Taylor Slyder
Trevor Davis
Veronyka Jelinek
Yukai Du