Short Summary

My name is Stephen Hamilton and I am a painter, illustrator and arts educator from Boston Massachusetts.

• Itan: Part 1 is a graphic novel that is based on the oral literature traditions of the Yoruba people of West Africa. The comic is heavily influenced by Yoruba art and aesthetics, combining traditional West african textile and sculpture traditions with western painting and illustration. Drawing directly from Ifa, the vast corpus of divination poetry used by the followers of the Yoruba Orisa traditions worldwide (as well as other Yoruba verbal arts) I am relaying important narratives rooted in African thought.  
• People, especially young people want to see themselves in the world, especially in the media that they ingest.  Lack of representation is an serious issue for people of color especially youth. The absence of our narratives in both media and academia contributes to lack of sense of self, and place.  Itan addresses that problem by relaying these important narratives through comics ,an art form that is accessible both physically and conceptually. It is meant to highlight  the often ignored and underrepresented narratives of Africa and the Diaspora through intriguing stories rooted in African thought and aesthetics. 

What We Need & What You Get

• We are asking for 250 early adopters to preorder the comic, which is set for completion in November 2017. A total of $5000 is needed to print and distribute a 500 copy run of the graphic novel
• A $30 investment will earn you a signed copy of the graphic novel along with a 4 pack set of limited edition promotional postcards
• A $50 Investment will earn you a signed copy of the of the graphic novel, with a 4 pack set of limited edition promotional postcards and a limited edition 18"x24" Promotional poster 
• A $1000 Investment will  earn you a signed copy of the graphic novel along with a 4 pack set of limited edition promotional postcards, a limited edition 18"x24" promotional poster as well as a signed, framed original hand painted panel from Itan: part 1. 
• If the goal is not reached all funds will still go towards the comic and will be saved until printing costs can be covered.

The Impact

• This graphic novel is my way of creating and highlighting empowering narratives created by and depicting people of African descent.  As an artist and educator it is my mission to use my work and teaching praxis to address and help eradicate issues of internalized and institutionalized racism. This graphic novel is a manifestation of that mission. I hope to depict the beauty, complexity and perseverance of one of the richest and most influential, philosophical traditions in Africa, one that survived the horrors of the slave trade and colonialism. This book is meant to be testament to the power, endurance and depth African thought and aesthetics.
• I was the 2015-2016 Arts Connect International artist in residence. During that time I had the opportunity to learning the traditional weaving, woodcarving and dyeing traditions that I am incorporating into this book at The Nike Centers For Art And Culture In Lagos, Osogbo and Ogidi-Ijumu. I also had the opportunity the learn more about Ifa and other Yoruba religious traditions from members of the West African Orisa tradition in Osogbo. During that time I completed a series of large scale paintings utilizing the same techniques I am using to create Itan: Part 1 , a selection of which can be viewed at www.itanproject.com.  The work from this residency was then exhibited  at the Museum of The Center of African American Artists in Boston, MA.

Risks & Challenges

The main challenge is  the time and effort it will take to complete the comic. I am creating and incorporating, woodcarving, weaving and dyeing arts into the comic book illustrations. This non traditional comic art technique will require more time and effort to complete. However it is of the utmost importance that I highlight these traditional arts along with these narratives to create a unique piece of sequential art, best representing the Yoruba aesthetic and cultural corpus.   

• I have 8+ years experience as a professional artists and will do anything in my power to complete this project, which has ben many years in the making.
• Each chapter of the graphic novel is carefully planned , and I have been careful to calculate and arrange my schedule around a November release date. Although it will be tight I am sure I will complete the project and have it in your hands in November.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't contribute be sure to spread the word!

• Spread the word by sharing the link to this Indigogo campaign! Be sure to use the #itanpart1 #itancomic hashtags!
• Be sure to follow Itan: Part 1 on Facebook! and follow my blog dedicated to this and other projects dedicated to African art and aesthetics as a means for cultural empowerment at www.itanproject.tumblr.com!