Tree of Hope (2020) by Archange Kiyindou "Yamakasi"Design Indaba
In his work Tree of Hope, illustrator Yamakasi explores and celebrates the power of trees and forests, particularily in his home town of Brazzaville, the capital city of the Congo.
Brazzaville is often referred to as Brazza la Verte (Brazza The Green) because of the greenery that you find everywhere across the city.
As Yamakasi explains "The Congo basin is home to the world’s second largest rainforest, and is known as the lungs of the world." In his work he references this name by replacing the roots of the young sapling he has drawn with a set of vibrant red lungs.
"The forest is what connects the north, the south, the east and the west sides of Congo. During the civil wars, the forest was our shelter and the forest provided food. Green is the color that connects us, the color that breaks down ethnic borders."
"As far as I can remember I have always lived in areas surrounded by trees. This green reminds us of the times we used to climb trees to play, a time that ignited our spirit of adventure...green symbolises peace, comfort and harmony. It symbolises the future we will create.''
