Perseverance

World Graphic Design, 2004, Geoffrey Caban
Antonio Mena, Ecuador, 1999 poster for symposium in Quito on the Columbian conflict

The artist wanted an image that represented death and destruction but also a hope for peace. He was expressing that despite of the surrounding cruelty and destruction, the Ecuadorean people refused to succomb and are reborn with renewed energy. The primary colors of the leaves are also the colors of the Ecuadorean flag.
I liked that the artist used a very simplistic design for such a serious subject. And the negative space created by the trunk is very interesting. The design appears to be asymmetrically balanced by color with the black versus the colors. The line of red at the top corner pulls it all together. Unity is created by proximity. The focal point seems to be the bright yellow leaf which pops out from the darkness of the rest of the elements. Yellow represents joy thus enhancing the concept of perseverance and the peoples's gratefulness for each day. The three leaves are in triadic color harmony.