Two previous pieces, The Guitar Strings and the Wisdom of Axum, were both good preparation for this workshop as I worked to gain an understanding of the materials involved, the colors and the relationship between the pieces. Some materials have similar colors, and we can use these materials as one large brushstroke.  We applied the materials as one would apply oil paint or watercolor to a painting.  I believe this kind of exploration gives each person, each artist, the opportunity to take the work in his or her own direction.

Once one has started an oil painting, for example, it’s very difficult to use watercolor on the same canvas, because  oil base doesn’t allow the water to stick.  So we need to use another medium to put watercolor on top of the oil paint.  The question is how to use properly media that are not traditionally used side by side.

One goal of this workshop was to give the students some experience outside of the traditional, single media format.  In this project, the students used a variety of very different materials to create one unified composition.  “Composition,” according to Wikipedia, “is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work.”  The work created is reminiscent of Alberto Burri’s art. (See image left.)  Antoni Tápies used similar techniques in his work. (See right.)  Both of these artists applied many years of experience and knowledge to the work in front of them.  I’m always inspired by seeing their work, and their skill.

Given the short amount of time that we had to work, the students worked well and created some really nice pieces.  I’m glad to have an opportunity to participate in the curriculum in this way. It’s very beneficial for the students to have a variety of experiences like this, and to be exposed to a variety of professional artists and teachers. For the benefit of the artistic community, and the community in general, we want students to graduate with rich, wide experiences. I would love to see students coming out of local art programs prepared to exhibit their work at a professional level, and ready for professional work in the arts.

A Solo Exhibition of the artwork of Eyob Mergia

Gallery Opening Friday February 12th, 7-9pm
At Augustana’s Eide/Dalrymple Gallery

The works will be on display from February 12th until March 11th.

This show includes a collection of works done in the period from 2002 to 2010, based on conceptual elements of Axum.

Click the picture to enlarge.

Wisdom of Axum, 2010

AXUM: HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Axum was a city, the capital of a kingdom and the center of a civilization.  From four hundred years before Christ until nearly six hundred years after the fall of Rome, the area that is now Ethiopia was ruled from the city of Axum, the capital and crown of the Kingdom of Axum.  At the height of its power, Axum was a force to be reckoned with both on land and at sea and was one of the four kingdoms of the world.  Both Roman and Byzantine accounts attest to Axum’s influence in trade and commerce.  The legendary Queen of Sheba reigned in the region eight or nine centuries earlier; her historic journey to King Solomon’s court in 980 BC, with 700 camels loaded with gold, ivory and other gifts, is well documented in the Old Testament. Her bathing pool and substantial remains of her palace can still be found in Axum.

The Axum civilization was one of the first to adopt Christianity (in the early 4th century), but the obelisks pre-date the Christian period.  Perceived as the cradle of Ethiopian civilization and once the gateway between Africa and Asia, Axum was a thriving trading centre when Jesus was preaching in Palestine.  Ships from Egypt, India and other countries in the orient stopped off there to load up with gold, ivory, incense, spices, hides as well as live animals such as elephants and monkeys.

Part of its success in commerce was due to its unique location—on the Red Sea between the African continent and the Arabian Peninsula; it was well-positioned to take advantage of trade routes.  At this crossroads between cultures and continents it drew elements from its South Arabian as well as North African neighbors.  The Axumite civilization developed its own form of writing, called Ge’ez, which is still used to write several languages, including Amharic and Tigrinya, two of the languages spoken in modern-day Ethiopia.  Another lasting and significant contribution of the Axumite period is its distinctive architecture, echoes of which can still be seen today.

AXUM: THE STELAE

One of the enduring architectural remnants of the Axumite period are the stone monuments known alternately as obelisks or stelae.  They are thought to have been erected to mark burial sites, as monuments to the dead, but they have come to be the symbols of the Axumite civilization.  These obelisks vary a great deal in size and are found throughout the region, but the largest and most well-known stele, the Obelisk of Axum, is nearly eighty feet tall.

AXUM: THE OBELISK of AXUM

In 1937, in the aftermath of Fascist Italy’s brief conquest of Ethiopia, one of the stelae now known as the Obelisk of Axum was carried in pieces to Rome by Mussolini in 1937, as spoils of war.  For decades it was a source of contention between the two countries—various Ethiopian leaders called for its return, and various Italian leaders cited technical difficulties and high costs of transport as obstacles.  Finally in April 2005 the Obelisk was returned, again in pieces, to the city of Axum – 68 years after it was looted by Italian fascists.

For more information, visit my website.

Page One of the Argus Leader article

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.

Page Two

For more photos and news, go to my website.

click pictures to enlarge…

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.

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

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

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

– You may click on the image to see the entire drawing!

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!

            After roughly three years, I have finally got the opportunity to move my studio downtown again. For personal reasons, I had used the studio to escape from the public and do art for myself, developing different aspects of my technique and idea. Nevertheless, most of my time spent confined was great and I believe that it has opened more doors for me to work with other professionals such as Perspective Inc. For the next two years, I am planning to work with them in different projects and collaborations in hopes that their architectural influence and concepts might be incorporated within my own art. It will be a fun year!

            Herewith, the March 6^th Sioux Falls Trolley Tour is approaching soon and some of my pieces will be displayed throughout the Perspective Inc. building starting at 5:30 P.M.  My exhibit will differ from my past in that I will be displaying much more drawings and sketches than paintings. As an artist, when I look at my paintings, I try to see them through the eyes of potential viewers which allows me to truly judge the sincere skill of my work. Thus, I believe that paint alone cannot make a piece beautiful, but the skill of the composition, sketch and drawing that is in its backbone.

            Personally, my goal is not to be a famous or “great” person but to leave behind a legacy that is not defined by who I am but of the skill of my art. Though art may change according to time and place, the reason behind its existence will always remain. It exposes yet has the potential to guide the culture and era that produced it. Therefore, I want, not my identity, to be kept within changing time but the existence and concept of art as a language.  

            Also, one of the most beautiful instrumental artists, Nebiyu Kebede from Washington D.C has decided to cover his latest album with one of my paintings, The Vine of Axum. His music is inspirational and serves as a language itself though now words are used. The whole album is a great experience and unlike any other type of music. 

            In addition, I wanted to thank Carl Grupp and Rob Robinson for the comments they made in the PBS documentary that aired earlier January.