In my last post, I introduced y’all to 10 Black Speculative Fiction artists who I have worked with before or will work with soon.
Now, I’d like to introduce you to 4 creators who reside in the Motherland and who are creating Blacktastic works of Speculative Fiction.
In 2015 and 2016, I plan to work with these artists on comic book, book cover and film projects:
Based in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Kiro’o Games is the very first professional video game studio of Central Africa.
Kiro’o Games has been in operation since December 2013 and is currently developing the first Afrikan videogame to target the international market – Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan.
CEO, game designer, script writer and programmer, Guillaume Olivier Madiba, a native and resident of Cameroon, helms a large team of brilliant, young creators. Chief among these creators are: Dominique Brand Yakan – illustration, computer graphics and game design consultant who hails from Belgium; Nono Hugues Wouafo – a residence of France who consults on IA conception, scenarios and game design; and Lead Artist Georges Pondy.
Kiro’o Games seeks to create an internal awakening among gamers around the world through the spiritual vision of their games, which are strongly based on their cultural legacies.
Drawing inspiration from myths, traditions, practices, customs, tales and legends from Afrika, Kiro’o Games has created a fantastic world that gamers worldwide will enjoy adventuring in.
From South Afrika hails master artist, Loyiso Mkize.
From a young age, Loyiso Mkize exhibited a great interest in art. Constantly sketching, doodling and painting as he grew up, his interest eventually became his passion.
Currently working at Strika Entertainment as an illustrator for the SupaStrikas comic book, which comes with the Sunday Times newspaper every month, Loyiso maintains a busy schedule illustrating comics, including his independent masterpiece, Kwezi. He also paints. His paintings are tools that he uses to document and express views and ideas. His subjects, generally Afrikan, are his explorations into the complex nature of modern man, his environment and his culture. Finding the subject’s spirit and communicating that through the medium of paint is an effort that Loyiso has found his voice in.
From Lagos, Nigeria comes artist, writer and creative director at Comic Republic Media, Tobe “Max Spectre” Ezeogu.
Tobe is the artist and creator of several great comic books that combine unique and intriguing stories and amazing artwork to give us some powerful Afrikan imagery.
Over the past few years, Setor Fiadzigbey has worked in many roles pertaining to commercial art – Marketing Illustrator; Children’s Book / Material Illustrator; Concept Developer for Animation; and Storyboard Artist for TV and Film.
Through these experiences, Setor has learned to work in many different styles, adapting his approach to fit the desired result.
Currently, Setor works as Lead Illustrator and Concept Artist with BZL Illustration Studio, a content production and illustration studio that offers world-class illustration services to any individual, organization or company that requires such specialized artistic solutions. Setor is the Co-Founder of BZL Studio, which is based in Accra, Ghana.
I have some money troubles right now, but even so I will buy Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan the first chance I have. That looks fantastic and I want to support Afrikan gaming. I hope Kiro’o Games finds great success in that. The artists featured look amazing too; Fiadzigbey’s Adinkra: Legend of the Bearers looks intriguing, and I’d say the US comics industry can learn something from Max Spectre. I hope Comixology starts selling Kwezi sometime.
Great artwork! These guys are really talented!
Reblogged this on The Afrosoul Chronicles and commented:
Across the Diaspora we keep making beautiful things…
Indeed, we do!
Thanks Balogun, learning about a lot of great writers and artists on your site. Keep it coming!
Thanks, for your feedback, Candace!
I most certainly will!
[…] Chronicles of Harriet profiles Black African artists who work in speculative fiction: Loyiso Mkizse; Tobe “Max Spectre” Ezeogu; Setor Fiadzigbey; and the artist of Kiro’o Games. […]
Reblogged this on pulse_lounge and commented:
Africa Got Talent!!!
Ah, was going to work with Setor for my book cover, but he had a lot on his hands at the time. His illustrations are so beautiful. I told him what I thought though, and it was that we will surely work again in the future. He better make the time! lol. Amazing artist.