June 2016 Unicorns Of The Month: Jiba Molei Anderson & Lorraine Heller-Nicholas
Comics truly have the ability to touch people across the globe. Comics know no boundaries; they are truly democratic. A good story educates. A good story inspires. A good story transcends race and culture because comics, unlike other forms of entertainment, are a personal experience.
My work examines the root of the superhero, mythology, thereby taking an esoteric approach to the genre. Mythology allows me to craft a story featuring people with abilities that though they use those powers for good, they are still subjected to the same feelings and frustrations we all have living in these modern times.
The worlds I create are populated with characters from multiple cultures, which reflect our diverse reality. From my original creations like The Horsemen to The Song of Lionogo: An Indian Ocean Mythological Remix, which I developed for the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, I create positive visions of heroes of various ethnicities performing amazing feats of courage and bravery, instilling a sense of wonder and pride to the viewer.
My work is defined by pop culture. From Alphonse Mucha to Frank Frazetta, from comic books and animation to “Grindhouse” films, these “low-brow” creations sparked my imagination. Their bold and shameless design and marketing aesthetic inspire the way that I make images and bring my message to the masses… And they are a lot of fun.
More of Jiba's work can be seen on his Website, his Twitter page, Facebook, Blog, and his publishing company Griot Enterprises.
Lorraine Heller-Nicholas
 |
| Couple Stalking. 2014-2015. Acrylic On Paper. |
 |
Loves Me, Loves Me not. 2010. Digital Print.
|
 |
Love Story. 2012. Ink On Paper.
|
Of all popular narrative forms, Romance is perhaps the one we experience most poignantly and personally. Regardless of whether we have felt intense feelings of romantic love or not, we are encouraged to yearn for it, from chocolate commercials to music videos. Yet despite the emphasis upon the individual’s experience of romance, the stories are often similar, and stories of romance are spoken of as a universal theme; crossing language, distance and culture.
 |
Precious Little One. 2005. Digital Print.
|
 |
Romance Writers Phrasebook. 2014. Pen On Canvas.
|
I have a cross-disciplinary practice, which includes drawing, print, digital and animation. I studied animation and imaging at RMIT as a Bachelor of Arts - Media Arts and drawing, painting, printmaking at Swinburne as part of a Diploma of Visual Arts. Since I started exhibiting in 2001, my work has been shown around Australia, as well as in the US, Taiwan, Iceland, China, Brazil, Germany and Singapore. I have previously completed residencies in Taipei, Shanghai, Iceland and in Australia.
More Lorraine's work can be seen on her Website, Instagram, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook, and a selection of video work below.
No, 2004 https://vimeo.com/16267266
Advice to those in love, 2005 https://vimeo.com/17743084
Loves Me, Loves Me Not, 2010/12 https://vimeo.com/49746925
Comments