CHARACTER DESIGN

Anime! Arte 2014

Hey everyone! My film  "Orisha's Journey" was selected to play in Rio de Janeiro at Anim! Arte 2014 :)

STORYBOARDS

A few storyboards for the 5th scene (River of Dreams) of my thesis film Orisha's Journey...

Thank You Japan! (Hiroshima International Animation Festival 2014)

Hey y'all got these back from Japan and wanted to share! I also wanted to thank Hiroshima International Animation Festival co-founder and Director Mrs. Sayoko Kinoshita (ASIFA Vice President/ASIFA Japan President) for all her kind words and for screening my film at HIAFF. The festival was built on the premise of taking the center of one of the ugliest acts against humanity (Hiroshima Bombing 1945) and using animation as a platform to promote peace and understanding between all peoples. I feel truly fortunate to have been a part of this year's festival!  -Abdul

Cover page of a comic I'm working on called Phoenix Quest: Book of the Watcher which is going to be derived from myths and folklore from all over the world... This cover is for one of the stories

A few screenshots from my animation thesis film Orisha's Journey for the School of Visual Arts. The film is based on various African folktales throughout the continent...

The first image of the phoenix with the serpent tails appeared to me in a wild, vivid dream and I had to sketch it. And some roughs. #illustration #drawing #sketch #characterdesign #penandink #sketchbookdrawing #dreams #phoenix #dragons https://www.instagram.com/p/CHdTsJNjS52/?igshid=n12pgco3efa9

Thanks so much! I really appreciate you supporting and showcasing Africa's beautiful culture!  

GUYS LETS SUPPORT ABDUL NADADI, an animator from Ghana who has created a new animation entitled Orisha’s Journey. His animation is going to be shown at the Hiroshima International Animation Festival in Japan (21st August 2014-25th August 2014)

For more information:

Follow him on tumblr abdulndadi

An interview he did with the SVA alumni blog

An article by discover african cinema

(these are all his images/animation)

MAGAZINE ARTICLE

Hi all, I was featured in an article about the art scene in Ghana please feel free to check it out!

Ghana’s art scene is taking shape

Ghana is basking in its burgeoning contemporary art scene. Gallery 1957 is opening in the country’s capital Accra, marking independence day, by showcasing a history of Ghanaian art and the work of current contemporary artists. The Ghanaian art scene has been struggling for decades, requiring funding, but those within the industry, including Creative Director of Gallery 1957, Nana Oforiatta-Ayim, are passionate about providing Ghanaian artists, like Serge Attukwei Clottey, an environment where they can produce and showcase their creations, while earning a living from their art.

Image: Serge Attukwei Clottey courtesy of Gallery 1957

Creatives in the diaspora are also drawing on their heritage for inspiration. Ghanaian-American animator Abdul Ndadi created a cartoon, who’s main character, a young African girl called Orisha takes on adventures.

“As an artist I felt a responsibility, even in a small way, to have an image of a beautiful African girl our youth could identify with, doing cool things. The main reason my main character is female is because not only do black women deal with the problem of racism, they also have the added burden of sexism as well.” @abdulndadi​

Orisha’s Journey - created by Abdul Ndadi.

Continue reading on Wordpress.

NEW VIDEO LINK!!! https://vimeo.com/340638155

This is a dance/performing arts video based on my Afrofuturist character designs for Niara Sakho’s clothing line ETO (Embrace the otherworldly) and it also features and my cousin Sarafina Beck (1st performer). It was great working with these two talented artists!