Axum: A Solo Exhibition

On Friday, February 12th from 7 to 9pm there will be a reception at Augustana's Eide/Dalrymple Gallery to open up my solo show, Axum.  The show will be open for a month--February 11th to March 12th. I've been working on the pieces in this show, and the concept behind it, for several years now, and I'm looking forward to it. Come join us and enjoy the exhibition.

Article in the Argus Leader

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This weekend the Argus Leader published an article about some of my recent work, focusing particularly on the Seven Days of Creation that I wrote about several posts ago.  Click on the pictures to read the full article.

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For more photos and news, go to my website.

The Cello Dream

The Cello Dream  8’ x 2 ½’

One of the projects I’m working on now is a musical concept inspired by one of my earlier ideas.  This painting is eight feet tall by two and a half feet wide, and will be displayed at Avera McKennan’s new Cancer Institute.

As I thought about this painting, it reminded in some ways of the paintings of Marc Chagall , especially the way he treats some of the human figures.  In this painting,The Birthday Gift, the viewer receives an unmistakable cue that this is more about dramatic movement than realistic portrayal.  The people represented are not rooted in reality, planted on the floor, but floating unhinged and unanchored.  The way they are depicted allows us to see them in the motion of the moment they are living.

In this painting, my cellist plays under a full moon and we are carried by the composition, by the musician’s movement and position, through his dream up to the moon itself.

Works of art are able to communicate across a broad spectrum of people.  Regardless of the viewers’ age and culture, education and economic situation, a piece of art affects its audience.  My hope for this painting, as it communicates with people of all different backgrounds, is that it will open a window for the viewers to drift into their own thoughts.

P.S.  A word about an upcoming event:  I have a month-long solo show at Augustana College, going up on February 11th.  It’s going to be one of my more experimental shows.   For more photos and news, go to my blog.

7 Days of Creation: Final Design

The 7 Days of Creation is finally coming to an end with the design finalized. The project consists of 8 mosaic panels each  measuring 23 ft high and 7 ft wide.  The images above are a photoshopped view of what the outcome will be when the project is totally finished. This is the vision I had for this project and the design has me very excited.

This kind of art is not just made for business but for awareness and change that will give birth to a new kind of creativity for our city as well as mature the influence of art in society. It has been a very busy and difficult month but the outcome is like a light itself bringing excitement, hope, and anticipation. I feel like this project is a representation of the kind of thing I have always wanted to achieve in my life and one of the most influential imprints I have made in art. It makes me feel like I have given back to the world like it gave to me.  Nevertheless, There is more to come!



Click on the images to enlarge!

For more detailed pictures of the design, visit my website.


www.eyobart.com

The Seven Days of Creation

This new piece of mine will have alternating glass areas and mosaic tile wall panels. Each panel measures approximately 23ft high x 7ft wide. There will be a total of eight panels. The theme, The Seven Days of Creation, will be expressed in abstract. The design is already selected by the church, Our Saviors Lutheran Church, and the whole piece is still under major development. One of the best things about this piece is that, like Genesis, it is great for incorporating into graphics, oil paint and even relief. This is one of the latest projects I am doing for 2009.

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

You may click on the image to see the entire painting!



www.eyobart.com

Genesis

I have been working on this 29 by 8.5 ft drawing this spring as part of  my research and preparation for a  mosaic and tile project on spiritual art.

This drawing entitled Genesis intends to show Light/Darkness, Word, the Universe, Creation, Civilization, Religion and Spirituality, Birth, Imagination, Form, the Mystery of other Dimensions, and the Human Soul.

In the Beginning was the Word and the word was with God and the word was God! John 1:1

-- Click to enlarge the images.--

Eyob Mergia: An Ethiopian artist rising in America

Local Painter Showcases Ethiopian Culture and Artwork

Spring 2011 Issue of SD Artwork

March 6th Show at Perspective!

Ark of the Covenant

           Ark of the Covenant was one of the longest projects I have ever completed and yet it still remains a concept that will remain a lifetime for me. It has lead me to many other spiritual concepts that I still practice presently.  For many years, I have been training myself to create realistic drawings and paintings from life. However, within this idea, I challenged myself as a painter, to go into the depth of the idea people have of the Ten Commandments, hoping to portray a much deeper sense and emotion of the story. One of the hardest parts of portraying this concept, however, was the fact that there was such little information about it. I had to travel to Ethiopia to really get an image of its history, majesty, and mystic that I may show it clearly in the piece along with my imagination and skill. From my perspective, I feel as if I am representing Ethiopia and its art. Nevertheless, as an artist, the idea of the Ark is very spread out in much of my work. What is special about this painting is that it tells a part of the story, in detail, in each panel of the piece. Furthermore, it explores the foundation of spiritual artwork with a combination of dynamic compositions to invigorate the mind and soul.

March 6th is the date  of the show. It will be at Perspective starting at 5:30. It will include many drawings and a Jazz Band!