BIOGRAPHY
I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and I currently reside in the United States, where I passionately explore my love for painting, design, and photography. My artistic journey began at a young age, leading me to study at Abyssinia Art School, Ale-Felge Art School, and Atelier School of Fine Arts, where I developed my skills in drawing and painting.
I am now pursuing a major in Graphic Design and Painting at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), focusing primarily on oil paintings. My work often centers around portraits and figures, characterized by slight distortion and vibrant color play. I aim to create pieces that invite viewers to engage with the artwork, allowing them to interpret and find their own emotional connections.
My inspiration comes from the world around me—nature, patterns, and colors continuously fuel my creativity. I also draw motivation from the work of other artists through documentaries, interviews, and exhibitions, which help me dive deeper into my artistic practice.
Self-portraits are particularly meaningful to me. They serve as accessible models and allow me to explore my own identity. I also cherish painting close family members, as these connections enrich my work. Embracing new subjects pushes me out of my comfort zone and encourages my growth as an artist.
Through my art, I aspire to foster a dialogue that resonates with viewers, encouraging them to discover their unique perspectives within my works.
CV
Education
Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD)
Major: Graphic Design and Painting
[2026]
Abyssinia Art School
Certificate; in Fine Arts recognition
Awards and Honors
– Art Contest Winner”
Saint Paul College, 2022
“Awarded for self-portrait submission.’’
-Scholarship Recipient
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, [Year]
“Awarded based on art portfolio.”
Exhibitions
Art Shows / Art sale
-Minneapolis College of Art and Design, [2023]
Featured works in the Art sale.
-Ethiopian Religious mural for Saint Ourael Church
Year: [2024]
Painted a vibrant piece for Saint Ourael Church, religious and traditional Ethiopian painting
-Eagan Art House
Eagan, MN, [2021
Participated in group exhibitions showcasing local artists.
-Art in Hollow
[2021]
Participated in art fair highlighting community artists.
Freelance Experience
Freelance Painter and Graphic Designer**
[2021 – Present]
– Created custom paintings and designs for individual clients and local businesses.
– Developed branding materials, including logos and promotional graphics, for various projects.
– Collaborated with clients to ensure their vision and needs were met.
Skills
– Proficient in oil painting and graphic design.
– Strong understanding of color theory and composition.
– Ability to engage audiences through visual storytelling.
– Excellent collaboration and communication skills.
STATEMENT
“As a painter, I explore nostalgia in my portraits and figures, using color and expression to capture this complex emotion. Nostalgia helps us reflect on our past, bringing up feelings that can be both joyful and sad. It represents a longing for what has been, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of memories that are now gone.
The origin of the word “nostalgia” meaning “return home” resonates deeply with me. It encapsulates the feelings of homesickness I experience when I reflect on my childhood in Ethiopia, the people I grew up with, and the vibrant memories that shape my identity. These recollections are often infused with warmth and happiness, yet they also carry an underlying sense of loss; they remind me that while I can cherish the past, I cannot relive it. This duality creates a tension that is central to my work.
Nostalgia is not merely an experience of time; it is also an experience shaped by the passage of time itself. It reveals the inherent suffering that comes from the realization that, despite our best efforts, time cannot be halted or reversed. The yearning to return to the past remains an illusion, creating a poignant contradiction: we strive to evoke and restore moments that can only be remembered.
In contemporary society, objects from the past often serve as reminders of nostalgia—whether they are vintage cars, clothing, or household items. This desire to surround ourselves with relics reveals the complexity of nostalgia: it can be a fleeting state of mind, a chronic yearning, or even a means of coping with change and trauma. Yet, it is essential to recognize that while these items can trigger joyful memories, they also highlight our inability to confront the permanence of change.
My work explores the paradox of nostalgia. The desire to return to the past and the realization that it’s impossible. This tension between longing and acceptance reflects our ability to navigate life’s contradictions. Nostalgia can serve to dissociate from the present, often leading us to idealize the “good old days,” even if those memories don’t fully capture reality.
By embracing this duality, I aim to connect with viewers and invite them to reflect on their own experiences of nostalgia. Through my art, I seek to capture its essence, acknowledging its complexities and its power to shape our lives. This feeling is universally relatable, touching almost everyone at some point.”
