This illustration is a part of a collection of five different illustrated stories revolving around myths, legends or folktales from different parts of the world. Serving as my Senior Exhibition Showcase in April 2024, the goal of this assignment was to bring attention to lesser known tales from other places, often over looked or deprived of mainstream attention. The name of the Collection, “The Not Quite Human Collection” services as a hint to the plot of each tale.
Traditional Illustration/ Sketch
Illustrated Poster, Digital Portrait, Project design
The story of Anansi The Spider is an old and significant one, emerging from the Ashanti Empire, now known as West Africa’s modern day Ghana. Anansi is described as a cunning and clever, shapeshifting character. Most commonly distinguished for his quick-wit and perceptive decision making. He is often seen to craft creative, unique and completely ingenious solutions to any and all situations he finds himself in, and Anansi indeed finds himself in quite a lot of these situations. Being known as somewhat of a troublesome trickster at times, causing more problems for himself than anyone else. A symbol of chaos and resistance, a man that was made to test boundaries of any and all aspects. Whether that be the physiological aspects of nature or the intelligence of some Gods. Anansi was not born a God but he is known to test them, he is said to be the connection between the realm of the Godly and the realm of humanity. A master of a great deal of many different traits and mannerisms, mostly seen to be somewhat of a “morally gray” character in certain stories shared about him.
He contains the heart, spirit, and desire of a man but the wit of the divine, a very interesting but complex situation to learn about. Anansi is accredited to be the giver and keeper of knowledge, stories, narratives, and wisdom. He’s won a great deal for the human race simply because of his wit alone, showing how a mental challenge can be just as effective as a physical one. Over time tales of Anansi were passed down and somewhat shifted and dispersed, especially after the transatlantic slave trade started. He was already the symbol of chaos but after that he became something more. As humanity changes with the times, the stories and legends we carry with us do too, living, breathing, and changing alongside us. Learning about myths and legends helps others understand the culture and people that they come from. Being tailored to the needs and hopes of the people that hold them in their hearts, adapting the narrative to the environment in which they survive. Stories and legends serve a significant and monumental purpose, more than most realize. As with tales of Anansi the Trickster Spider, he became a way for people to preserve hope in the face of vulnerability and serves as a reminder of resistance and survival.