Aura of Axum

                                          

            

 

          This painting represents Axum which is one of the most significant Christian empires that reigned from 400 B.C to the 10th century. I want to depict this power by using it in different forms of primitive art.  This differs from the rest of the paintings I have done on this concept because I have taken the motifs and used them in a composition to truly reveal Axum. However, there are still repetitious symbols incorporated into this that I use in many of my other paintings as a character that slowly helps me to progress into a level where viewers can see me through my paintings. The fact is, art must be able to display the general but also have the ability to relate to the viewer as though they are looking at themselves in a mirror to capture an individualistic identity in art. Art has to speak in a language that allows others to see.  A good example of this is artist Skunder Boghossian. Who has taken “significant sites from Ethiopia” and turned it into a modern  art..

 

“For him, the systematic decomposition of culture, history and naturally of creativity on the psyche of people of color is sadly very significant. For him also, the universality in the culture of the creative history of people of color is a consequential reality and hence, the symbolic agreement of the jazz lyric of the African American, the harmonious chant of the Ethiopian and the rhythmical tune of the singer from Mali. In Skunder's words all his works are "a perpetual celebration of the diversity of blackness."  

 

Also, another example is artist Wosene Kosrof .

 

(This is a painting I have from Wosene when he was attending an Ethiopian fine arts school)

 

 

“Wosene Worke Kosrof has explored the aesthetic potential of language, using the written symbols of his native Amharic as the major compositional element in his work. In his paintings, the calligraphic forms of Amharic are broken apart, abstracted, and reconfigured to create a new visual language that draws upon the artist's Ethiopian heritage while incorporating his experiences as an expatriate living in the United States. As Wosene explains (the artist has chosen his first name as his professional name), "The symbols bring my culture to me and at the same time I recreate my culture with the symbols, producing a unique international visual language."”

 

            All in all, these artists have made a substantial impact on Ethiopian art culture as well as raise the awareness of the art into a different perspective by adding highly skilled Ethiopian embroidery and design. Artists such as this have come out of one root but have different branches and styles.

 

Homepage: www.eyobart.com

 

 

 

The Seeds of Life

 

           This painting is about the concept of Axum and is one of the four paintings I have done on this concept. I have taken religious and symbolic elements from all of these paintings and continued to use them to progress and grow in this concept. Thus, the composition of each painting tends to develop even more. However, the fact remains that it is highly important to create an identity to each painting that not only stirs our emotions but opens the mind to a new perspective of art.

Sacred Lotus

                         

                                

 

             The Sacred Lotus represents the birth of a child. I was inspired to paint a painting about this concept which is similar to the one of the Lotus flower which is born in the water just as a baby in the mother's womb. Ideally, the flower reminds me a lot of Baptism because it is born from the water and grows out.

             The Lotus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelumbo_nucifera) has had a significant impact on many ancient cultures such as Egypt and is currently the country flower of India and Vietnam. It is referred as being holy and sacred in the Hindu religion and is mentioned in many Hindi stories. In fact, there has even been an architectural temple that was built in inspiration of the Lotus.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_Temple)         

            Nonetheless, this painting has two circles and many pelicans. One circle represents the season that that is ending and the other represents the spring season that is to be born. Thus, it resembles the Lotus. The pelicans represent the sense of natural bonding in the kingdom of creation. As an artist, the ideas that are created each second are ones that I have to capture and integrate it into my art with skills that have been aquired with past experiences as this with an interval of rest to do it again.

 

(My new website is www.eyobart.com)

Spring

Spring, originally uploaded by eyobart.

This is the second time I had painted this piece. It allows me to come out of abstract and do a more impressionistic painting. Instead of thinking so much, this painting allowed me to relax and just paint from life. Usually when I do an abstract piece, I tend to get lost in my own world and disappear from reality. This type of painting allows the painter to go back to the starting point but lets them add realistic elements. The painting must have to be a balance between subconscious mind and consciousness but also can be used individually in a mental sense and reaction.
Abstract or impressionist artists aren’t artists that only do abstract and impressionism. The fact is: Abstract is more expressive than realistic art. Though this might be true, it shouldn’t mean that there should be a limit on the knowledge you should have on art.
Sisi and her cat are my neighbors. Sometimes Sisi comes to the studio alone and sometimes her cat comes alone. Nevertheless, every time I see them, they enlighten me with three different kinds of ideas. A message revolves to me by an inner voice which also accounts for the beauty of this work for only that is beautiful.

Axumite

 

Axumite, originally uploaded by eyobart.

This is a painting I am working on about Axum, a historically indispensable town in Ethiopian history, religion and in fact  of African Civilization as well.  Axum is the place where the Queen of Sheeba reigned during the height of her empire, this where we have the Ark of the covenant and this is where we have the Axum Obelisks ( the ones I tried to put in my paintings as well). Axumite civilization still has a visible effect on Ethiopian history, religion, architecture and arguably political landscape. Currently, Axum is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Ethiopia.Traveling to Axum is one of the most inspiring things to me, both as my Ethiopian/African heritage and also as an artist.  At this time, I am taking all the experiences I got  from my last trip and integrating it into my art.

Koch Hazard: At My Show

Koch Hazard: At My Show, originally uploaded by eyobart.

Carl Grupp, originally uploaded by eyobart.

Carl Grupp at my show. He is a great artist and one of my favorite drawing teachers. I consider him a good friend.

Click here and here for some of his work.

Show's Night

Harmony and Balance Band, originally uploaded by eyobart.

This is the band at my show.