a selman project

It’s no secret that every nation has its own unique culture, demographics, and associated social issues. Unfortunately, sometimes our perception of many countries is shaped most by the negative issues which bubble up in the media. Worse still, is that many countries go both unheard of and unheard by the larger world.

Thankfully, every nation equally produces individuals who devote and sacrifice themselves to the principles of peace, freedom, and equality. The Peace Post project began as a means to shine a light on individuals from around the globe who are champions of peace.

As a starting point, we determined that every sovereign nation should be represented in the project with a few key disputed states entered at our discretion. As a referential guide for each illustration, we profiled each country with a keen eye on the progression of traditional and contemporary visual styles associated with the art and culture.

In choosing which individual to profile for each country, we first referenced Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, notable omissions, and various other international peace awards looking for potential candidates. In several cases when a nation was not represented by a winner of a major peace award, we used our own research to find an individual who represented associated ideals and actions of peace advocacy.

We elected to represent the chosen individuals as a series of stamps for several reasons. 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.

Our goal was to learn more about these countries, the positive people there, and share their stories with you.

For more information please contact:
chris@selmandesign.com
peacepost on instagram:
@projectpeacepost
Copyright and disclaimer
The content of this web site contains information, photographs, and media intended solely for educational purposes.

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Paul Rusesabagina

  • Rwanda
  • Human Rights
  • Presidential Medal of Freedom

Paul Rusesabagina is a Rwandan human rights activist and author who famously hid and protected 1,268 Hutu and Tutsi refugees from the Interahamwe militia while working as a concierge at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali in the midst of the Rwandan Genocide. His heroism was the subject of the film Hotel Rwanda which was nominated for several Academy Awards. Rusesabagina has gone on establish the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation which fights for human rights around the world. Rusesabagina has been the recipient of many accolades and awards including the Presidential Medal of Freedom which he was awarded in 2005.

Rwanda

  • Population
    12,115,775
  • Capital
    Kigali
  • GDP (PPP)
    $1,905
  • July 1, 1962
  • Total Area
    26,338 km2 (145th)
  • Demonym
    Rwandan, Rwandese
  • Government
    Unitary semi-presidential republic

Artwork

The painting style that Rwanda is most known for is called iminongo. Imigongo art is made from cow dung and was traditionally used to decorate the huts, pottery and canvas with geometric patterns and spirals of black, white, red and grey. The art was almost totally wiped out in the Genocide of 1994, but has fortunately been saved and is enjoying a return to the Rwandan culture.

  • Illustration by
    Johnny Selman