Mehari Teshome

Mehari Teshome is an artist of a singular talent. Born in the 1980s in the iconic neighborhood of Merkato, in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), he grew up absorbing the beauties, the colors and the eccentricities of such a hectic place. A self-taught artist of a formidable talent and knowledge, Teshome is always interested in the interaction between people and nature, the way our societies evolve in such an unprecedented digital era, and the significance of women in Ethiopian culture. His work is often multilayered and intricate, often the result of hundreds and hundreds of sketches, each one more discerning than the last. If there are any figures in his work, they are often in contention with one another, or more likely lost in self-reflection, an act of kindness the artist bestows upon his subjects. Often intrigued by the distinct ways our society shapes itself around the evolving technologies and the aching of lost memories, his work is a testament of what it means to be truly a collective, a people of many facets and many needs. Paying homage to his iconic native neighborhood of Merkato, his work is often vibrant and exhilarating, and as intricate as the qene that populates the ancient texts of his country.

His inaugural solo show, is forthcoming in the Fall of 2024/Spring 2025 through our different galleries.