MoAD Exhibitions

At the age of 70, Ethiopian artist Qes Adamu Tesfaw is regarded by many as Ethiopia’s finest living artist, whose striking narrative depictions offer vignettes of the richness and variety of religious and secular life in Ethiopia, as well as scenes of important historical events that have given the country its identity. Grounded in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, his paintings are conceptually remarkable and aesthetically stunning. The artist’s unique vision is evident in the originality of his compositions and his striking color palette. Painting Ethiopia is the artist’s first solo exhibition in an American museum.

When viewed next to the works of other late 20th century Ethiopian artists who work in a traditional idiom, Qes Adamu’s paintings stand out as truly exceptional. They tell stories about Christianity from an Ethiopian perspective, about the political and military exploits of 19th and 20th century Ethiopian rulers, and about rural and urban life. Rather than working from rote, Qes Adamu creatively re-envisions the subjects he paints. Despite having painted various recognizable religious themes countless times, such as the story of “St. George slaying the Dragon,” no two compositions are the same. He approaches every painting as a new problem to be solved. He is constantly thinking… dreaming… about making art.

Note: “Qes” is the honorific title given a priest in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.