The Art of Stephen Hamilton

My work focuses on the aesthetics and philosophies inherent throughout Africa and the Diaspora. I strive to create a dialogue between contemporary black cultures and the ancient African world. Through visual comparison of shared philosophies and aesthetics ubiquitous amongst black peoples I seek to describe a complex and varied black aesthetic. These visual and philosophical connections and cultural analyses form my visual language. My pieces depict African thought and culture as equal to, yet unique from its western analogue. This work stands in stark contrast to the pervasive negative associations, which have become synonymous with black culture. I am a Boston painter and Illustrator, who is available for commissions, freelance and concept work. If you are interested in the work you can contact me at [email protected]. Thank you and enjoy!

[theartofstephen]

Rashad Clarke as Oduduwa Acrylic on Handwoven Aso Ofi #THEFOUNDERSPROJECT

Learn more at www.itanproject.com

[theartofstephen]

The Founders Project is a multimedia installation project headed by Boston based artist and educator Stephen Hamilton. The project re-imagines Boston Public School High-School students as the legendary founders of the West and West-Central African ethnic groups, that are part of the ancestral base for the African diaspora. The pieces will incorporate painting, weaving and sculpture traditions from each of the spotlighted ethnic groups and are to be installed in a to be determined public space in Boston. The project will contribute to a larger syllabus on West African cultural continuity in the African Diaspora designed for High School students.

The Founders Project comes out of a desire to both address the persistent lack of Pre-Colonial African Narratives in mainstream educational discourse and to create empowering visual representations of Boston’s Black Youth. This project both explores and interrogates popular conceptions of “the Ancestors” within the African Diasporic imagination. We explore the concept of the progenitor or “Founder” in West and West Central African Lore as the physical embodiment of a people and their history. Through their narratives, we learn important lessons about the cultural imperatives, worldview, and aesthetics of the ethnic groups who venerate and sometimes even worship them as divine ancestors. Each piece dissects important key symbols pertaining to each of the highlighted individuals personal and broader cultural narratives, glossing not only the historical figure but the cultures that claim them as ancestors.  The installations will also expose viewers to the beauty and complexity of the visual arts of west and central Africa. Each piece incorporates accurate handmade reproductions of textile and sculpture arts from specific African ethnic groups, using only dyes, pigments, and materials available in Pre-Colonial Africa. This Juxtaposed with western styles of acrylic painting will result in new works that draw from both ancient African aesthetic conventions and the rich, contemporary and syncretic mural traditions born out of the Black Arts Movement. Be Sure to visit http://www.itanproject.com/the-founders-project/ to learn more!  @okayafrica-blog @supportblackart @africanartcollector @afroklectic @africanartagenda

[theartofstephen]

The finished piece. #Oduduwa complete. 🙏🏾 Our stories are passed down from generation to generation, via word of mouth. The story of Oduduwa is no different. Follow the next phase of the journey as we help tell the story and keep the history alive. 🔗in bio. #TeachMeBlkHistory ⚫️ • • #precolonialafrica #artistsoninstagram #africanhistory #africaneducated #art_we_inspire #bostonart #bostonartists #bostonartscene #bostonartmakers #oduduwa #yoruba #yorubatradition #artists_insta #teachersofthegram #educational #blackhistory365 #blackhistory #teachmeblkhistory #thefoundersproject #okayafrica #naijaart #naija (at Boston, Massachusetts)

[theartofstephen]

In my element. Always grateful to be in this space. 🙏🏾 • • #precolonialafrica #artistsoninstagram #africanhistory #africaneducated #art_we_inspire #bostonart #bostonartists #bostonartscene #bostonartmakers #oduduwa #yoruba #yorubatradition #artists_insta #teachersofthegram #educational #blackhistory365 #blackhistory #teachmeblkhistory #thefoundersproject #okayafrica #naijaart #naija (at Boston, Massachusetts)

[theartofstephen]

The chameleon who tested the stability of the earth with its delicate steps. More work on #thefoundersproject and other updates coming soon! #staytuned . . . . #thefoundersproject #painting #blackartist #supportblackart #yoruba #orisa #orisha #oduduwa #blackgodsandkings #ancestry #africanhistory . . . @mocada_museum @supportblackart @printbyprint @blavity @blackart365

[theartofstephen]

#flashbackfriday gonna try to tap into this energy for #thefoundersproject. I had to literally scrap this piece and start over twice. It represents #tukula the red cam wood powder, the midday sun and the prime of life in the physical world. When I Paint #Lukeni first Mwene Kongo I want tap into what I did with this painting. . . . #kongo #bakongo #kongokingdom #tukula #palomayombe #africanhistory #blackisbeautiful #painting #drawingwhileblack #supportblackart . . . @supportblackart @prinbyprint @mocada_museum @blackart365 @richardbeaversgallery @thepanafrican

[theartofstephen]

"Kingly Jewels" more work on the royal regalia follow #thefoundersproject for more inforamation. Portraits of the ancestors through the faces of our youth. . . .#Segi #iyun #ide #ileke #oduduwa #omooduduwa #yoruba #orisha #asoofi #handwoven #handyed #indigo #blackart #supportblackart #drawingwhileblack #acrylicpainting #workinprogress #moretocome . . . @mocada_museum @blackart365 @supportblackart @richardbeaversgallery @printbyprint

[theartofstephen]

Ewe oye "chieftancy leaves" and ileke"beads" #thefoundersproject more coming soon . . . #ooni #yoruba #yorubatextiles #orisha #oduduwa #omooduduwa #africanhistory #painting #drawingwhileblack #supportblackart #blackart #blackisbeautiful #wip #staytuned #thefoundersproject . . . .@mocada_museum @blackart365 @printbyprint @richardbeaversgallery @supportblackart.

[theartofstephen]

Finally finished! So much more to do but it is one step closer. Follow #thefoundersproject for more updates! . . . #thefoundersproject #weaversofinstagram #handwoven #handdyed #naturaldye #africantextiles #nigeriantextiles #akwammiri #asoofi #akwaigbo #textileart

[theartofstephen]

“Yennenga, tree from which the Mossi people grew” Yennenga was the daughter of Madega the legendary 12th century ruler of the kingdom of Dagbon in what is now northern Ghana. A powerful warrior in her own right, Yennenga lead soldiers into battle at the age of only 14. Matchless with the bow and spear, she was a legendary horsewoman who won many battles in her father’s name. When she came of age and expressed the desire to marry, her father refused. In protest, she planted and entire crop of Okra and let it rot in the field to show how she felt her life was withering away and her time to start her own family was passing her by. Her father was unmoved, so she escaped her father’s compound disguised as a man. Upon leaving her father’s kingdom she met a young Malinke prince and elephant hunter named Riale. They fell in love and had a son Ouedraogo, who became the first Mogho Naba (king) of the Mossi empire. Though Ouedraogo was the their first king the Mossi credit Yennenga as the founder of their nation and the royal horseman of Mossiland, to this day still carry her legacy forward. Follow #thefoundersproject for more updates! . Photo by @stacehphotography . #thefoundersproject #blackart #blackartist #supportblackart #theartofstephenhamilton #blackisbeautiful #painting #africanhistory #blackhistory #africantextiles #handwoven #indigo #adire #artoninstagram #drawingwhileblack #Yennenga #mossi #burkinafaso #ghana #Dagomba #portraiture #blackgirlmagic #representationmatters

[theartofstephen]

View this post on Instagram

"One who descended to earth on the Iron Chain" more work on #thefoundersproject coming soon! . . . #staytuned #painting #artistsoninstagram #drawingwhileblack #blackart #africanhistory #omooduduwa #yoruba #orisha #orisa #acrylicpainting #africantextiles #wip #staytuned

[theartofstephen]

“Gianna Watson as Yennenga: Tree from which the Mossi nation grew” After months of preparation I am pleased to announce #thefoundersproject. The Founders Project is a multimedia installation project headed by Boston based artist and educator Stephen Hamilton. The project re-imagines Boston Public School High-School students as the legendary founders of the West and West-Central African ethnic groups, that are part of the ancestral base for the African diaspora. The pieces will incorporate painting, weaving and sculpture traditions from each of the spotlighted ethnic groups and is to be installed in a yet to be determined public space in Boston. The project will contribute to a larger syllabus on West African cultural continuity in the African Diaspora designed for High School students. Follow #thefoundersproject for more updates! #thefoundersproject #blackart #blackartist #supportblackart #theartofstephenhamilton #blackisbeautiful #painting #africanhistory #blackhistory #africantextiles #handwoven #indigo #adire #artoninstagram #drawingwhileblack #Yennenga #mossi #burkinafaso #ghana #Dagomba #portraiture #blackgirlmagic #representationmatters

[theartofstephen]

#thefoundersproject is coming soon! Stay tuned! . . . #indigo #painting #artistsoninstagram #illustration #blackartist #blackart #blackisbeautiful #acrylicpainting #drawingwhileblack #africantextile #africanhistory #africanart #theartofstephenhamilton

[theartofstephen]

Still have a long way to go but I have the first pattern block finished. The pattern is called fingernail and Yoruba and leopards claw in Igbo #asoofi #akwaigbo #nigeriantextiles #africantextiles #handwoven #handyedyarn #indigo #camwood #brocade #weaversofinstagram #moretocome #wip

[theartofstephen]

View this post on Instagram

Making some headway with the weaving . . . #asoofi #akwaigbo #nigeriantextiles #africantextiles #handwoven #naturaldye #osun #camwood #indigo

[theartofstephen]

View this post on Instagram

More process. It feels good to draw again. . . . #blackart #blackartists #drawing #artoninstagram #illustration #supportblackart #supportblackartists #blackisbeautiful #coloredpencil #acrylicpainting . . . @blavity @blacknerdproblems @blackart365

[theartofstephen]

ORE YEYE OOO!!!! Itan: Part 1 available now check out this graphic novel based in Yoruba Oral Literature painted on handmade textiles by visiting itanproject.com! . . . #osun #oshun #yoruba #ifa #orisha #orisa #africantextile #adire #supportblackart #supportblackartists #blackcomics #blackgraphicnovels #graphicnovel #illustration #illustratorsoninstagram #comics #linkinbio . . . @blavity @chocolatecitycomics @blacknerdproblems @blackart365 @printbyprint