Since his childhood, Zerihun
has been able to realize his dream of becoming a painter through his continued
efforts and artistic pursuits. It is said that he was given the title “the
scientist” when he was attending high school at Teferi Mekonnen School
because his hand was always connected with handicrafts. This was a great
indication that the soul was devoted to art in the early morning.
Zerihun Yetmgeta was born
in Addis Ababa in 1940. He won a national art competition when he was 18 years
old. In 1963, after attending drawing lessons at the Empress Menen School for
one year, he joined the Addis Ababa Fine Art School in 1964, which is
considered to have laid the foundation and strengthened his modern art training
and knowledge. In that school, he gained great knowledge in painting and
graphics. In 1960, he graduated, receiving his diploma from Emperor Haile
Selassie I. Among the teachers who taught at the school, he says that he has
great admiration and respect for his German graphic instructor Carl Heinz
Hansen Bahia and the great modern Ethiopian painter and poet Gebre Kristos.
While Hansen Bahia’s lithographic techniques influenced his works, Zerihun says
that he has always followed his own artistic path. Zerihun attests that his
teacher, Gebre Kristos Desta, attained a prestigious and prominent position in
the history of Ethiopian modern art and penetrated the hearts of his students.
Known for his clear and
straightforward speech, Zerihun is a prominent artist who has been able to
promote himself internationally among the modern and contemporary Ethiopian
painters. According to local and foreign experts who have written various
research articles about Zerihun’s artworks through his wide experience and
practice, the structures of the composition that are seen around different
symbolic and allegoric pattern representations associated with the artistic
style of the renowned Ethiopian and African modern artist Skunder Boghossian
can be seen strongly in Zerihun’s works as well. It is said that in the late
1960s, Zerihun and Skunder worked together in a studio. Zerihun also admits
that during his time as a student at Addis Ababa Fine Arts School, he had a
culture of working together with his teachers. He says this approach greatly
facilitated learning and the exchange of ideas between students and teachers.
Zerihun is a contemporary
Ethiopian painter, graphic artist, and art educator who has gained
international recognition through his strong work discipline and dedication.
Since 1970, he has been able to participate in various private and group
exhibitions in the country and abroad. He has received special recognitions in
Ethiopia and outside of Ethiopia for his developed visual art experiences.
Therefore, he is recognized as one of the most prominent modern and
contemporary Ethiopian artists.
