Finding Inspiration in Heritage

Afewerk Mengesha Captures Ethiopia’s Essence through Art

Afewerk Mengesha is a renowned Ethiopian artist who has significantly contributed to the country’s art scene. Born in 1943 in Addis Ababa, Afewerk was one of the first Addis Ababa Fine Arts School graduates in 1963. Despite facing challenges due to his hearing impairment, he pursued his passion for art and has since become known for his works exploring Ethiopian history, culture, and modern life themes. Afework’s artistic journey has been marked by perseverance, as he overcame obstacles to establish himself as a professional artist, working in various roles before focusing on his studio practice after retirement. His paintings, often executed in oil on canvas, have been exhibited at prestigious venues in Ethiopia, showcasing his ability to capture the essence of his homeland through his distinctive artistic vision, writes EBR’s Eden Teshome.

Please tell us a bit about your background and how you first became interested in pursuing art as a career.

I became interested in pursuing art as a career after I got hearing impaired when I was seven years old. After this life-changing event, my father took care of me. When I felt down, my father encouraged me to learn drawing and took me to the School of Art around Arat Kilo. I graduated with a diploma in 1956 in the Ethiopian calendar. After my graduation, I have held various jobs over the years. Now that I am retired, I can focus on my art and do it from home.

Your artwork often concerns Ethiopian history, culture, and modern life themes. Can you tell us more about what inspires you to explore these subjects in your paintings? How do you aim to capture the essence of Ethiopia through your art?

My artwork often revolves around themes of Ethiopian history, culture, and modern life because that is what inspires me the most. Many of my friends had the opportunity to study art abroad and were exposed to more abstract and complex drawing styles. However, as a hearing-impaired artist, I could not secure a foreign scholarship. Due to this limitation, I needed help to understand abstract artfully. Instead, I focused my artistic exploration on Ethiopian culture, history, and traditional lifestyles. By specializing in these subjects, I aim to capture the essence of Ethiopia through my paintings. I find great inspiration in depicting my home country’s rich heritage and lived experiences.

You were one of the first Addis Ababa Fine Arts School graduates in 1963. How did your education and early experiences shape your artistic development? What were some of the key lessons or influences that have continued to guide your practice over the years? Does experience shape you?

As one of the first Addis Ababa Fine Arts School graduates in 1963, my education and early experiences significantly shaped my artistic development. After finishing my diploma, it was challenging for me to secure a job as a disabled person. The Ministry of Education initially assigned me as a teacher at Felege Selam Art School, but the director refused to accept this decision due to my hearing impairment. For a short time, I began receiving drawing commissions from this school. I then joined Addis Ababa University, where I created historical and ancient drawings in exchange for a portion of the payment. After serving at AAU for about Amidst years, I transitioned to working in the tourist trade until my retirement.

In addition to your work as a studio artist, you spent many years employed at the National Tourist Organization. How did this role influence your artistic approach or subject matter? Did it provide you with any unique opportunities to explore Ethiopian culture and heritage through your art?

Yes, in this role, I was the head of the department, which gave me the chance to oversee a wide range of operations. The company earned significant revenue from producing tannery drawings and bedroom lighting during my time there. However, the salaries of my department did not reflect the company’s profitable earnings. As the department head, I approached the relevant authorities to address the issue of our inadequate compensation. Regrettably, my efforts to resolve this matter were unsuccessful, and I still need a satisfactory solution.

Despite the challenges around fair compensation, working at the National Tourist Organization did provide me with unique opportunities to explore Ethiopian culture and heritage through my art. In my leadership position, I could closely observe and gain deeper insights into Ethiopian life and traditions being showcased to tourists. This firsthand exposure likely influenced my subject matter and artistic approach.

You designed stamps for the Ethiopian Postal Service and greeting cards for Ethiopian Airlines. Can you tell us more about those design projects? How did the process of working within those commissioned formats differ from your personal studio work?

My design projects for the Ethiopian Postal Service and Ethiopian Airlines were unique opportunities that differed from my personal studio work. I was working for Ethiopian Airlines from my home for the first time. They discovered me while I was employed in the tourist trade, and one day, I provided a large greeting card as a gift at the opening event of Ethiopian Airlines. At that time, the former head of state of Ethiopia, Mengistu Hailemariam, encouraged me greatly, as did the director of Ethiopian Airlines. Following this initial collaboration, I continued designing greeting cards for Ethiopian Airlines that were displayed in their offices. I also had the chance to agree with the Ethiopian Postal Service to create their stamps, which I could do from my studio.

After graduating from the Addis Ababa Fine Arts School, one of your sons, Binyam Afewerk, also became an artist. How has it been to witness the next generation carrying on the family’s artistic legacy? What advice or insights have you been able to share with him about navigating the art world in Ethiopia?

Of my children, my son Binyam was the only one who inherited my artistic talents. My eldest child is a pianist. Binyam has followed in my footsteps from a young age, showing a passionate interest in art from childhood. When Binyam graduated from the Addis Ababa Fine Arts School, I was honoured to be invited to showcase my work at a World Federation of the Deaf exhibition in the United States. I briefly discussed Binyam’s artistic pursuits and facilitated a fully funded scholarship opportunity. However, Binyam continued his education in Moscow, Russia, preferring to be with his friends there. Tragically, Binyam was later murdered by unknown individuals for unknown reasons. This was an unimaginable loss, as I had hoped to witness Binyam carry on the family’s artistic legacy.

You mentioned that your hearing disability has never prevented you from being creative but that you regret not being able to study abroad with your friends due to this challenge. Can you share more about how losing your hearing impacted your life and artistic journey? How did you overcome any obstacles or stigmas associated with your disability, and how has it shaped your perspective as an artist?

My hearing disability has never prevented me from being creative, but it did present significant challenges, especially earlier in my life and artistic journey. Before establishing the Ethiopian National Association of the Deaf in 1963, no formal sign language was available. During this time, my friends and I took the initiative to learn sign language, which had been introduced in other countries. This was a crucial step in allowing me to communicate better and navigate the world as a person with a disability. Formerly, it was tough for disabled individuals like myself to pursue educational and professional opportunities due to a lack of accessible infrastructure and institutional support. The bureaucracy and stigma associated with disabilities made everyday life a constant struggle.

However, over time, as the landscape for people with disabilities in Ethiopia has gradually improved, I have been able to overcome many of those obstacles. Now, disabled individuals can access education, employment, transportation, and other vital services that allow them to thrive and make meaningful contributions to society. While my hearing loss has undoubtedly shaped my perspective and experiences as an artist, I have never allowed it to limit my creativity or artistic ambitions. If anything, it has imbued my work with a unique sensibility and appreciation for the visual world. I regret not being able to study abroad with my friends due to the challenges of my disability. Still, I am grateful for the resilience and adaptability it has fostered within me. EBR

12th Year • June 2024 • No. 130