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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Isabelle Amenganvi

  • Togo
  • Women’s Rights

Isabelle Ameganvi is a Togolese lawyer and politician representing the Union Forces for Change party. She is the leader of the women’s rights division of the group Let’s Save Togo which is dedicated to advocating for democracy and economic justice in Togo. At a rally in 2012, Ameganvi called for the women of Togo to go on a sex-strike against the recent electoral reforms which made it easier for the ruling party of the past 45 years to remain in power. The idea was to make Togolese men to think about the motherland, release prisoners, and to motivate to take action against the ruling elite.

Togo

  • Population
    7,460,483 (100th)
  • Capital
    Lomé
  • GDP (PPP)
    
$1,567 per capita
  • April 27, 1960
  • Total Area
    56,785 km2 (125th)
  • Demonym
    Togolese
  • Government
    Presidential republic

Artwork

Togolese art is a union of many different traditional African techniques. The handiworks of basket-weaving and fabric-dying are commonplace amongst the Togolese people. Namely, the batik style of wax printing holds particular importance both historically and economically as its trade once surpassed the country’s primary revenue from Phosphates. This time-honored practice, coupled with the bright dyes often found on Togolese clothing make up this portrait of Isabelle Amenganvi.

  • Illustration by
    Albert Chang