Date of Award
Spring 5-31-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts (MFA)
Department
Graphic Design
First Advisor
Ramon Tejada
Second Advisor
Dr. Saki Mafundikwa
Third Advisor
Wael Morcos
Abstract
Latin and Arabic are the most used writing systems in Afrika, not only because of their functionality but because of colonial history. Colonialism established Eurocentrism as the standard, while Afrikan creations were marginalized and demonized. This thesis investigates various ways of reclaiming identity through typography using the concept of Sankofa, which emphasizes retrieving and learning from the past to build the future. By integrating cultural objects into designs and everyday visual language, we can challenge and reverse the demonization imposed on Afrikan symbols by colonial narratives.
The belief of Ubuntu, the philosophy that an individual’s well-being is intrinsically tied to the well-being of the community, underscores the importance of meaning making in everything I create. I am driven by a desire for transformative change in Afrikan design and the decolonization of its methodologies.
The process involves extensive research into historical artifacts and the recollection of cultural events, extracting symbolic elements, patterns, and narratives. These components are synthesized into new meanings and reinterpret the essence of these cultural elements. Drawing from patterns on textiles, pottery, and enduring traditions or ceremonies, the resulting visual language honours the past while paving the way for a decolonized and innovative future.
Recommended Citation
Tshuma, Osmond, "Afrography: Scripting futures anchored in culture & community" (2025). Masters Theses. 1425.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1425
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