Nsibidi Pictogram Explorations

A visual study of Nsibidi symbols, meaning and generative form.

Role
Artist and Researcher
Years
2022
Nsibidi Pictogram Explorations project cover

Nsibidi is an indigenous system of symbols from southeastern Nigeria. I began this study by collecting symbols and tracing how meaning changes through scale, repetition and composition.

I then built hybrid glyphs and generative arrangements, and applied them to identity, stamps, posters and textile studies. This research became an early foundation for Agụ Display.

Lovers wordmark with an interlocking red symbol replacing the letter O
Reference sheet of Nsibidi symbols arranged in a grid
Construction grids for circular and vertical Nsibidi-inspired glyphs
Variations of a hybrid Nsibidi glyph shown on construction grids
Mirrored and stacked Nsibidi-inspired glyph compositions
Postage stamp studies with symbols, palm trees and Nigerian architecture
Blue and yellow postage stamp studies built around a portrait
Lovers identity studies in red, black and purple
Stamp, wordmark, tiger and textile applications using the symbol system
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