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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Enele Sopoaga

  • Tuvalu
  • Environment

Enele Sopoaga is a Tuvaluan diplomat and politician who has served as Prime Minister since 2013. Sopoaga and his administration have focused on working to make the world aware of the looming threat that climate change poses to the nation of Tuvalu as continued increases in global temperature and rising sea levels will destroy many pacific island nations. Speaking to the U.N. on keeping temperatures increase to an absolute minimum he stated “Let’s do it for Tuvalu. For if we save Tuvalu we save the world.”

Tuvalu

  • Population
    10,160 (196th)
  • Capital
    
Funafuti
  • GDP (PPP)
    
$3,400 per capita
  • October 1, 1978
  • Total Area
    26 km2 (236th)
  • Demonym
    Tuvaluan
  • Government
    Non-Partisan Parliamentary Democracy under Constitutional Monarchy

Artwork

Tuvaluan women are known for their colorful crochet patterns, stitched from dyed natural fibers found on the remote island. The design for the portrait was inspired by the intricacies and symmetry of Tuvaluan crochet. The water symbolizes the rising sea levels that threaten to devastate their nation.

  • Illustration by
    Katie King Rumford