Meet Studio Artist Yohannes Tesfay

1. Describe your hustle/brand.

I am a full time studio artist working on a non-figurative abstraction. I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and currently live in San Diego, California. I received Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Painting from the Alle School of Fine Arts and Design at Addis Ababa University. I also traveled to Moscow for a yearlong art training at the Surikov Art Institute. My work experience is diverse from creating illustrations for children’s books at Macmillan to restoration of wall frescoes for Addis Ababa Holy Trinity Cathedral. As a full time studio artist, I actively participated in several solo and group exhibitions in the US, Ethiopia, and Europe including the African American Museum at Los Angeles.

2. Who are some of your influences?

Nature is my greatest influence. I carefully observe the surrounding environment and use it as a main drive to communicate with the viewer. Nature is a peaceful and complete place for me to experiment with ordinary materials in order to achieve extraordinary result. The materials that I use in my artwork are scraps found in surroundings. I manipulate them to build up layers and shapes that would carry beauty and emotion. I am into texture and it became part of an important element in my artwork. I also use the mix of wood, wire, plaxiglass, oil, acrylic and marker to achieve a subtle harmony for the entire composition.

3. What can we expect from you in the near future?

I work on the idea that can be developed and transformed through the continuous process. I am approaching three-dimensional surfaces in depth so that it can help me to bring unlimited possibilities to push my idea further. I am dedicating myself to create more artworks in a day-to-day basis. My recent finished art pieces are occupying the studio space so that I am planning to have some of the pieces displayed at the gallery space. My next plan is to produce an artwork that is stronger in concept and dipper in philosophy. I am also interested in going back to school and pursue a Masters of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art.

Website www.yohannesart.com
Instagram yohannesart
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