Eyob Art blog

Student Workshop at Augustana College

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to lead a workshop for students at Augustana College.  The concept for the workshop came from one of my previous pieces, The Guitar Strings.  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 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. 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. 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.

Axum

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.

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.

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 12th to March 11th. 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

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.

For more photos and news, go to my website.

The Cello Dream

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.

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 photoshoped 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 excitment, hope, and anticipation. I feel like this project is a representiation of the kind of thing I have always wanted to achieve in my life and one of the most influental 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!

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

March 6th Trolley Tour and More...

 

 

                                         

                                                                                     Rhythm of Jazz

            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.

Welcoming The Year 2009!

 

 

     

                                                                  

                                                                   Alpha and Omega

 

             For me, 2008 was not a productive year; however, I have witnessed a lot of progress within my work as it had matured. I have put a lot of focus and emphasize on the concept of Axum, as in the painting above, with cultural design in which I have learned a lot about myself as an artist and began to see my identity protrude out of a long process of incorporating Axumite designs.Since I started alot of my artwork, within the last ten years, on a realistic and modern perspective, my main focus is to now incorporate those perspectives into the ancient and iconic history of Ethiopian Christian Art. However, Although I have focused on the concept of  Axum for the last 5 years, I am still planning to remain there for the years to come.  All this will be for the Augustana College solo show in 2010.

            In addition, I will be featured in is a PBS documentary film on art in my life. This film will also include the students, teachers and other critics as they comment on my work. The programs and times of when the episode airs will be included in the PBS link above. I am anticipating a very good outcome on the film and believe that it is a good way to listen on what others think about my work. It will be fun!

www.eyobart.com

 

           

The Obelisk of Axum

                       

                        The Spirit of Axum

This drawing is one of the pieces displayed from the Axum series at the new Black Sheep Coffee House on North Cliff and Benson. This new Black Sheep will be a permanent place for my pieces.

Background

 

            Axum, or Aksum, is a city in northern Ethiopia named after the Kingdom of Aksum, a naval and trading power that ruled from the region ca. 400 BC into the 10^th century. The kingdom was occasionally referred to in medieval writings as “ Ethiopia”. It was the centre of the (eventual) Christian marine trading power the Aksumite Kingdom, which predated the earliest mentions in Roman era writings (around the time of the birth of Jesus) in good correlation to the expansion of Rome into northern Africa, and later when it developed into the Christian kingdom, was a quasi-ally of Byzantium against the day’s Persian Empire. The historical record is unclear, primary sources being in the main limited to ancient church records. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church claims to possess the Ark of the Covenant or tabot in Axum. The object is now kept under guard in a treasury near the Church or tabot in Axum. The object is now kept under guard in a treasury near the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion, and used occasionally in ritual processions. But versions of the Aksum

tabot are kept in every Ethiopian church, each with its own dedication to a particular saint, most popularly Mary, George and Michael. It has been plausibly suggested that the claim that the Aksum tabot is the real thing.

Concept

            These paintings were done under the inspiration of the Byzantine Art period. Also, it was inspired by the return of the after 71 years from the Italian government or the Obelisk of Axum. This awakened a strong nationalistic movement in the Ethiopian people. This is why it is like a new period art for me as a an artist. It's funny because The Italian Government thought it a victory after stealing it from Ethiopia. This would be the equivelent of us taking the Mona Lisa from Italy and rejoicing over it. It does not make much sense. However, the reason why I chose this concept is because I believe it is crucial to understand and express my roots that are apart of my artistic identity. I used many elements in this series including the 300 B.C architect movement which I took this and started to incorporate it into my artwork progressing it into a new level and perspective. Most of the paintings are based on Christian symbolic elements that are mixed into my paintings creating a language in art form. This form has layers that build on each other to convey a message to the inward parts of a human soul with the use of symbolic religious elements. There are many more religious pieces on the site.

For more information go to

www.eyobartblog.com

www.eyobart.com