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Artist Biography
"Ever since a tender age of five, I used to paint on the walls and on
the floor in our house with charcoals and pencil colors. My father had
already foreseen my fate. He used to buy me art supplies, and send me to
the best art schools, to get me involved in the artistic world. My
father was my biggest inspiration to become an artist, but the awards,
appreciation, knowledge and encouragement of others further inspired me
to pursue my dreams. I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in 1973. The
elementary school that I attended was a nice art oriented school. I won
a couple of awards while I was in elementary school for best artist. I
also went to the School of Arts in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and finished my
studies in fine arts. I continued my education at Sir J-J School of
Arts, a prestigious art school in Mumbai, India. I earned my B.F.A. in
1996. And currently I am a student at the Metropolitan State College of
Denver in the field of digital Arts. I am working for my 2nd B.F.A.
My art work is mainly influenced, and inspired through African art from
my birthplace, Indian miniature paintings that I explored in my stay in
India, as well as American everyday objects such as soda cans and credit
cards because they help me get a three dimensional view, but
furthermore, I also comment on the materialistic lifestyle of Americans
by depicting these objects in my art.
I see my art as being a Universal language. I have been trying to paint
my dream and vision. My greatest inspiration came from different
cultures, by combining my ideas and trying to create a universal art
language. Over the years, I have participated in various solo and group
shows in Africa, Italy, India, and Denver. I have lived in Italy and
have done
 some
artwork there as well.
I have won numerous awards for my art pieces including the Shankar
International Children’s Competition in India at the age of 14, The Sir
J-J School of Arts Annual Exhibition in1994 and 1995, and in the
Eritrean Youth Poster Competition I won the1st prize when I was in
college. I have also done some volunteer work in India, Ethiopia, and
Eritrea. My volunteer work involved teaching young artists at elementary
schools, helping out in art events, and organizing a couple of mural
arts."
Yohannes Andom
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